THIS EVENING’S MATCH PREVIEW – EAST THURROCK (AWAY)

Weather permitting Dulwich find themselves in the land of fire when they travel to East Thurrock United for a their twice-rearranged league fixture

Originally scheduled to be played two months ago on September 27th, the Rocks’ progress in the FA Cup saw that date scrubbed. The continued involvement of East Thurrock in that competition saw the first rearrangement on the 4th November put back to tonight to allow our hosts a clear week to prepare for their FA First Round tie away to Hartlepool United. Unfortunately the week’s rest was not enough for the players as they fell to their Football League opponents 2-0 but even defeat could not take away the achievement of a club that seemed on the brink of relegation and in search of new home at the end of last season.

Back in April 1969 East Thurrock was born out of the dreams of a group of fans who felt that the area around Corringham and Stanford-Le-Hope should have a senior non-league football club, following the successful Corringham Social Sunday League side, which had gained some local fame in the 1960s. The first league in which the club played was the Southern Essex Combination. They joined the Metropolitan London League in 1972, and won Division Two at the first attempt. After the league merged with the Spartan League the club played in the London Spartan League until 1979, when they switched to the Essex Senior League. They remained in the ESL until 1992 when a third-place finish saw them join Division Three of the Isthmian League.

In 1999/2000 they were Division Three champions and were promoted to Division Two, then switched to Division One North when the Isthmian League reorganised. In 2004 further reorganisation of the pyramid saw them shunted into the Eastern Division of the Southern League, where the success continued as they finished runners-up in their first season, earning them promotion and a return to the Isthmian League as they took their place in the Premier Division for the first time. An application to the Essex FA and the Isthmian League to rename the club Thurrock United from the start of the 2007/08 season was rejected. At the end of the season they were relegated following a one point deduction for fielding an ineligible player. It too three years to get back but the Rocks did it in style lifting the Division One North title 2011. The following season they marked another milestone in their short history reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time only to lose 3-0 at home to Macclesfield Town.

Consolidation followed as they finished mid-table in that first season back at the top table but last season a stunning fifteen match unbeaten run at the end of the campaign, marred only by a narrow last day defeat to already crowned champions Whitehawk saw them secure a playoff spot. Unfortunately ultimate glory was denied them, despite a gutsy performance in semi-final away to second placed Lowestoft Town a controversial goal with 11 minutes left on the clock was all that stood between them and a final berth against Essex neighbours Concord Rangers.
After escaping relegation last season by the skin of their teeth, many tipped the Rocks to be amongst the strugglers again this term. However a strong start to the season, 300 minutes without a goal conceded until Charlie Allen ticked away a penalty for Margate in the Rocks’ fourth outing of the current campaign saw the club right in the mix at the business end of the table. However their outstanding FA Cup run, which including a jaw dropping 7-1 win at home to Bath City of the Conference and their continued involvement in the FA Trophy where they travel to Havant and Waterlooville this Saturday has meant the league fixtures have to take a backseat for now. Indeed, of their last eleven competitive matches, eight have been in one knockout competition or another. Though they have been unbeaten in the Isthmian League since 23rd September when they went down 2-0 at Witham Town, they find themselves back in 17th spot, a dozen points behind the Hamlet albeit having played three games less.

This evening’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm at East Thurrock United FC, Rookery Hill, Corringham, Essex SS17 9LB.

Nearest train stations are Basildon or Stanford-le-Hope with direct trains to this station from Fenchurch Street Station, the journey should take about 50 minutes. There is a regular service on the 100 bus from both these stations serving Corringham.

MATCH DAY ADMISSION PRICES

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