ROCHFORD continued their quest for promotion with an emphatic 12-1 win over neighbours Old Southendians on Saturday.

The rescheduled game started with a great intensity from both sides and Old Southendians were unlucky not to take the lead in the opening minutes but fortunately for Rochford, “The Rock”, Neil Sikka was there to block them.

Having survived the scare, Rochford went straight on an attack of their own through Matt Harwood-White. He skipped past several defenders before slipping the ball into the net with the keeper stranded.

This was the start of some fantastic hockey where for 25 minutes Rochford dominated the game.

During this period, there were two goals scored by the in-form striker James Morgan, as well as skipper Andy Knight and Rhys Durban.

Despite the scoreline, Old Southendians continued to work hard and they got their reward on the counter attack when their winger outpaced the Rochford defence and got his shot away.

The ball cannoned against the post only to bounce out and hit the foot of the stand-in keeper Will Early who could only watch as the ball agonisingly crossed the line.

The goal gave the home side the lift they needed but they couldn’t improve on the score line partly down to the Rochford defence in particular joint players of the match Alex Mann and Neil Sikka.

Danny Palmer extended the lead for the away team just before half time thanks to some neat passing from Rhys Durban and Sam Lowe who found Palmer in the D where he buried the ball past the on-rushing keeper.

Rochford again dominated the second half but despite the pressure they struggled to extend their lead.

Harwood-White finally found the net for his second of the game and like the first half this then led to a flurry of goals for the away team, including two from Luke Smith before he turned provider for his brother Matt who tucked the ball away from a difficult angle.

Further goals from Sam Lowe and a second for Durban finished the goal rout and three more vital points.

Rochford are now top of the table with a six-point advantage over their nearest rival.