Ryman Premier
East Thurrock Utd 2 v 2 Leiston
The Rocks let go of a two-goal lead to drop two valuable points at home to Leiston as they drew 2-2 at Rookery Hill.
The first chance came in the third minute when Emmanuel Osei was given a free header in the box but it went wide.
Leiston gained promotion last year on the back (amongst many things) of being a very well-drilled outfit and they looked the same her.
Rocks should have scored in the 11th minute but the goalmouth scramble ended with the ball going everywhere but the back of the net. Eventually Kris Newby’s shot hit the post and went out for a goal kick.
Kris Newby looked very sharp. In the 14th minute, he sent over a cross that Hakam Araba got a head onto but went wide.
The achilles heel for the Rocks seemed to be the far post and again when Gareth Heath had a free header there, Leiston looked dangerous.
But it was skipper Reiss Gilbey who broke the deadlock with a looping shot that went over the head of keeper Danny Potter and in.
The Rocks were totally dominating this game. They nearly had a second but it was ruled offside. It was a pleasure to watch on-loan Martin Tuohy who was a yard ahead in thought and deed from Leiston.
But the rest of the half was played out with Leiston containing the Rocks. Leiston should have drawn level when Rhys Henry ran thirty yards to stretch out from six yards our but he was denied by the out-stretched boot of Richard Wray.
But on the stroke of half time, Hakaam Araba stubbed the ball in from a yard out.
Leiston soon got back in the game in the 50th minute when Patrick Brothers slid the ball home after a really well worked move.
The goal breathed new life into the Suffolk team as they defied the conditions to produce some very attractive football.
Rocks needed to get the third goal but they were on the back foot with Brothers continuing to rampage down the left.
And they got their just desserts in the 75th minute when Manny Osei headed in from close range after a lovely looped cross from Brothers.
It was now time for plan B as the Rocks brought Sam Higgins and Liam Burgess on. But Higgins lasted just five minutes before going off lame.
The winner nearly came in the 83rd minute when Nathan Stone broke free on the left, got into the box and shot but Richard Wray’s fingertips turned the ball round the post.
Att: 135
East Thurrock United v Leiston
Wray R, Sammons R, Stephen T, Harrison S, Peddie S, Parmenter R (Burgess L 80), Newby K, Gilbey R, Araba H, Tuohy M (Higgins S 80 ( Smith K 85) ), Collins S.
Subs not used: Brayley B, Justham E
