AFC Hornchurch 1-1 East Thurrock United

From the Hornchurch Stadium

Ryman Premier

 

TEN-man East Thurrock United claimed a point at AFC Hornchurch, with David Bryant grabbing the vital equaliser. 

Lewis Smith saw red against his former side in what was the fourth meeting between the two clubs since the start of the season.

The hosts started the better of the two sides and took a 12th minute lead through George Purcell but, five minutes before the break, Bryant hit his second goal inside a week.

There had been heavy rain overnight but the home team came out on top, despite having no home wins so far.

Billy Coyne’s cross was headed on by Martin Tuohy, leaving Purcell the easy task of shooting beyond David Hughes.

But the East Thurrock stopper was equal to Purcell soon after, saving his effort.

Sam Higgins came close on two occasions to testing Sam Mott, but he couldn’t force the ball home.

But Bryant was on target to bring the away team level soon after.

Lewis Smith, booked earlier in the half, went in very late in the second half and picked up his second yellow card, leaving Rocks a man down for the final half an hour.

But Rocks rallied and Higgins was again denied by Mott, with Reece Harris almost scoring soon after.

Hughes preserved a point for East Thurrock with a fantastic last minute save, to extend East Thurrock’s five match unbeaten run in the league.

East Thurrock United: Hughes, Sammons, Stephen, Peddie, Wood, Symons, Bryant (Parmenter), Gilbey (Goodacre), Higgins, Smith, Harris (Witherspoon)