ROCHFORD’s promotion push continued against Southend thirds as they romped to an impressive 8-0 win against their borough rivals.

After a nervy start, the home team soon started to find their range and started to put a number of passes together which led to the opening goal.

Chris Williams found James Morgan in the D, with Morgan slipping the ball to Rhys Durban who was lurking at the back post to tap in.

Rochford’s confidence grew with goalkeeper Tony Revell and Dave Dove commanding the defence to limit Southend’s to minimal scoring chances.

Last week’s three-goal hero – and former Southend player – James Morgan then got in on the act when he took the ball wide of the keeper and drilled a shot in on the tight angle.

And the third wasn’t long in coming. Sam Lowe struck an unstoppable reverse hit shot only to see it bounce off the post, with Morgan slotting in the loose ball.

Skipper Andy Knight got a fourth before half-time and the second-half followed a similar pattern, with the home team pressing high up the pitch and using the pace of Matt Harwood-White, Danny Palmer, Charlie Wright and Will Early to good effect.

Morgan grabbed his second hat-trick in two weeks when he finished a fine passing move from Harwood-White, Durban and Lowe.

Rochford introduced Luke Smith who made an impact by grabbing a goal, although the Southend keeper was unlucky after making a good save only for the ball to dribble over the line.

Charlie Wright scored, with Smith grabbing his second to finish off yet another slick passing move.

The win means Rochford remain in second place one point in front of both Thurrock and East London.