Monday Match Preview - East Thurrock United (Away) - Ryman League Premier Division Play Off Final - Kickoff 3.00 pm

The rise of East Thurrock from their birth in Southern Essex Combination at the end of the 1960’s to the brink of National League South has been nothing short of meteoric, with this season’s third placed finish in the Ryman Premier their best ever league performance. Notwithstanding runs to the FA First Round Round, this clash is set to be the biggest day in the history of the Corringham club. In 2011/2012 they lost 3-0 at home to Macclesfield Town in front of 1207 and last season they travelled to Hartlepool at the same stage, going down to an honourable 0-2 defeat. Surprisingly that attendance for the Macclesfield game is not Rookery Hill’s record turnout, that being reserved for an FA Cup Fourth qualifying tie in 2003 when 1250 was the given crowd for the visit of Woking. One expects that record might be tumbled today!

Thursday night’s dramatic away win at Fortress Nyewood Lane, secured by an outstanding penalty save from Preston Edwards to deny Bognor Regis’ marksman supreme then a trademark pinpoint free kick at the death from Ashley Carew, set up this enticing encounter before two sides inseparable in their league meetings this term.

As Dulwich were breaking Bognor hearts in Sussex, up in Essex the “other” Rocks were booking their place in the final with a third win of the season over Steve McKimm’s Tonbridge Angels. It took just eight minutes for John Coventry’s men to make the initial breakthrough even if it did come from an unexpected source. Whilst East Thurrock's feted attack force has been earning all the plaudits this was a goal born out of defence as Rickie Hayles chose the optimum moment to find the net for the first time in the campaign. Joe Ellul flicked into the path of the cnetre half and he took one touch and swivelled before slamming crashed the ball home. Though the Angels started to threaten more as the half wore on home stopper Lukas Lidakevicius remained largely untested between the sticks. Right on the half time whistle the Rocks put some daylight between themselves and their adversaries with a second goal. A big launch from Hayles’ throw unsettled the visiting defence with a George Craddock effort blocked before winger Ben Marlow smakced a shot home from the edge of the penalty area. Tonbridge raised their game at the start of the second half but rarely was the East Thurrock goal troubled as the hosts eased to win. Unfortunately celebrations were marred by the news that Kye Ruel, stretchered off in the last quarter hour, had suffered a broken leg.

Whilst Ruel will be missed East Thurrock still have plenty of firepower to call upon having scored well over a century of goals in all competitions. As on Thursday with Bognor Regis’ Jason Prior, Dulwich Hamlet’s defence will have to subdue another deadly assassin in front of them as they come up once more against East Thurrock’s fabled talisman Sam Higgins. Back in February the club legend clocked up his 200th goal in Rocks’ colours, reaching that milestone in just 232 games. His tally this term reachd an eye-watering 43! Off course it's not all the Higgins show at Rookery Hill with the striker occasionally letting his teammates have a bit of his cherry. Lewis Smith chipped in with 19 goals before an FA ban for betting derailed his career whilst Tom Wraight has weighed in another 23.

Both Higgins and Wraight were on target in the two league meetings between the Rocks and the Hamlet this season, two vastly contrasting games with equal outcomes, honours even at the end of 90 minutes with four goals shared each time.

Up at Rookery Hill, Dulwich Hamlet were ahead in a flash as Ryan Moss dived to meet a Jordan Hibbert cross, his header in off the ‘keeper’s right hand upright with less than 40 seconds on the clock. Despite foul weather, some excellent football was on display with the Hamlet holding the whip hand but unable to add to their lead before the break. For this they were punished as six minutes into the second East Thurrock found an equaliser. Following a short corner on the left, Ben Wood’s cross to the far post was headed in by Tom Wraight arriving late at the back of the box. The loss to a thigh injury of Ethan Pinnock soon after would impact not only on this game but later ones as Dulwich title challenge faded. HOwever with a quarter hour remaining a lackadaisical back pass was seized upon by Nyren Clunis. With ‘keeper Lidakevicius stranded, the Hamlet wingman easily rounded him before tucking the ball away into the unguarded net. The lead would last just just two minutes before the Rocks unleashed the genie from the bottle, Higgins picking up on a loose ball before slamming the ball home from 15 yards via Phil Wilson’s left hand upright.

The return fixture at Champion Hill produced a spinetingling conclusion that none could have dreamed up as Dulwich Hamlet snatched a share of the points at very death, a point that took on ever greater significance as the end of season renaissance take root. In a first half of few chances Higgins took advantage of a defensive slip to poach the opening goal for the visitors, Wraight doubling that lead as he curled a cross shot past Preston Edwards ten minutes into the second half. Seemingly dead and buried, Dulwich Hamlet threw caution to the wind, Damian Scannell bundled home the ball from close range only to flagged for offside whilst Dean McDonald missed a gilt edged chance late on, In the first minute as stoppage time Nyren Clunis curled home a low shot in of the far post but is seemed little more consolation with time the enemy. Lidakevicius denied Albert Jarrett tipping over a 30 yard rapper but it was another tip over that would throw Hamlet a lastgasp lifeline as defender Sammy Knott pushed over Mitchell Nelson’s header. At first it had seemed Knott and his teammates had escaped justice but persuaded by players to consult with his better placed assistant, the man in black pointed to the spot and dismissed the miscreant Knott. All eyes now on Ashley Care, the coolest man in the Champion Hill cauldron as he dispatched the penalty high into the top corner of the net with 96 minutes played and not a second left.

Whether players, supporters and officials could have a similar finish in this game might be up for debate! But if you can stand the pressure then the Only Way is Essex.

East Thurrock United Ground is at Rookery Hill, Corringham SS17 9LB. Travel details are published here

Admission Prices and Information:
Due to the numbers expected East Thurrock United will be issuing wristbands and opening additional entry points to allow anyone who wishes to pay their admission early and return to the bar to gain easy quick access to the ground. The gates will be open from 1.30pm

Prices:

• Adult: £10.00
• Children under 16: £2.00
• OAP/Students: £5.00