Isthmian Premier
Corinthian Casuals 2 v 1 East Thurrock United
Report courtesy of East Thurrock United
ROCKS struggled to get going after conceding a scrappy goal inside the opening two minutes, on a chilly and ultimately disappointing night in Tolworth.
With Jordan Brown sitting out the first game of his three match suspension, John Coventry gave a debut to his most recent signing, former Crystal Palace under 21 defender Martin Onoabhagbe, who turned in a decent performance. The new boy lined up at right back, with Jason Ring pushed forward into a wide right midfield role.
Rocks got off to the worst possible start with Gabriel Odunaike tucking home at the far post after a deflection had wrong footed the Rocks defence.
Rocks attempts to get back into the game were made more difficult as they regularly gifted possession to the eager home side with misplaced passes, a malaise which continued throughout the evening, and seemed to run through most of the team.
It came as no surprise when Ben Checkit rifled Casuals second goal past Jack Giddens some fifteen minutes before half time.
After a really disappointing first half, Rocks showed considerable improvement after the break, and pulled one back twelve minutes into the half, Danny Cossington smashing home his first goal in a Rocks shirt following a Darren Foxley free kick.
Rocks were looking far more lively now, as they probed for an equaliser. However they found home keeper Dan Bracken in solid form, and despite their best efforts Rocks were unable to find a crucial finishing touch.
ROCKS: Jack Giddens, Martin Onoabhagbe (Jack Coventry 75), Danny Harris, Danny Cossington, Ryan Scott, Michael Tweed, Jason Ring, Amos Nasha, Frankie Merrifield, Darren Foxley, Ayo Olukoga.
