25/04/2026 – REPORT – East Thurrock Community FC versus Alresford Colne Rangers FC
ESSEX & SUFFOLK BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION.
EAST THURROCK COMMUNITY FC. 3. ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC 0.
Date: 25th April 2026. Venue: Wyldecrest Sports Country Club, Corringham.
East Thurrock Community FC have been in the ESBFL for two seasons now, and I thought it was about time I visited their home ground, it took me an hour to get there but the trip was worthwhile, the facilities and pitch are excellent, the Clubhouse looks down over the pitch which had a good covering of grass and had fencing around the perimeter. The Club, as the name suggests is run by the Community and various fund-raising events take place to raise Club funds, they even hire a coach for away matches, take numerous supporters and if you have a bar, will make sure the takings are up before they leave! Today, Alresford Colne Rangers were the visitors, despite changing managers after the New Year and bringing in youth players their plight has been tortuous, but the Club and their teams still exist, because off the field they are one of the best run Clubs in the ESBFL.
On a warm afternoon, on a well prepared pitch, today’s Match Official was Anthony Phillipps who would have Grant Teasell and Richard Windibank as Assistant Referee’s, just four cautions administered but plenty of talking points, remember, the referee is in charge, will not change his mind on a decision and has to be consistent throughout, both myself and a former referee, spectator, thought he got most decisions right. It was good to see both teams being led out for the “Respect” handshake, it is still in the rules but rarely actioned!
East Thurrock kicked off and retained early possession both in forward and defensive positions with Monk heading back to his keeper, Bruley, an early cross from Bussell found the head of Barnacle but his downward header bounced into the arms of keeper, Marsh. At the other end a snapshot, from Morgan-Eagle flew well wide, from the restart, Barnacle found Bussell and he forced a corner, taken by Reeman, but headed clear by Balaam, today playing in midfield for the visitors. Salter sent the ball wide to Barnacle, he found Bussell whose cross was fielded by keeper, Marsh. The start of this match had shown much promise from the home team, who sat in second place in the Premier Division, they have two matches remaining after this one, the race for the title is a race between three teams. Podrazik sent a long ball forward to Scotcher but Barrett (F) blocked his effort at goal, then a free kick taken by Podrazik was headed out for a throw in by Bussell, Watson took the throw in, but keeper, Bruley was there to take the ball out of the air amongst a group of players, positive goalkeeping there! When Alresford Colne Rangers tried to put any attacking moves they were quickly closed down and East Thurrock Community capitalised to break forward themselves, Rowe down the left side had shown good pace and when he took on Morgan-Eagle he was brought down, some said it was soft, but a penalty kick was awarded, Morgan-Eagle received a yellow card and HARRY PRINCE sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot kick. From the restart, the visitors reached the penalty area themselves, defender Barrett (J) was guilty of manhandling Scotcher to the ground, was he the last defender, the visitors thought so, Barrett (J) received a yellow card though, from the free kick, Balaam avoided the four man defensive wall but keeper, Bruley, caught the ball, low down on the goal-line.
Vanhinsburgh pulled back Rowe as he tried to get forward down the left side, the free kick on the edge of the penalty area was taken by Salter, who found Miles and from his flick on, keeper, Marsh turned the ball aside for a corner, taken by Rowe but easily cleared. When the referee tried to allow play to continue from a free kick situation, he brought the ball back for a free kick to the visitors, again, Balaam, set the ball up and another fine free kick flew straight to keeper, Bruley, once again handling well on his goal line. A long throw in from Watson was pushed away for a corner by Monk, when the ball was headed clear by Salter, Thapa struck a fine rising effort that beat keeper, Bruley, but also the goal, good effort though. Miles fouled Morgan-Eagle just inside the away half, Balaam, took the free kick which flew straight to keeper, Bruley who rose unchallenged to catch the ball. Balaam was involved in the next attack but his effort from a wide angle on the left side, again found Bruley ideally placed to save, it’s a testament to Balaam that he has stayed loyal to Alresford Colne Rangers, especially when many others have left the club, and as team captain he was certainly trying to encourage his young team.
A clash of heads between Podrazik and Barrett (F) resulted in the match being stopped as both players needed treatment, the match was restarted with a drop ball to the visitors, but Barrett (F) went down again soon after following a heavy challenge, nice to see the away team players helping him until the physio reached him. A shot from Prince cannoned off the back of Salter, a scramble developed inside the penalty area, Bussell fouled Impey, then Monk was fouled by Vanhinsburgh just on the edge of the penalty area, Reeman fouled Balaam and play was a bit disjointed as we approached half-time with keeper Bruley launching the ball directly to his opposite number, Marsh. Alresford Colne Rangers continued to defend well, the home team tried the direct route, Barnacle took the ball down well, as he turned, he hit a fine shot that went narrowly wide. Barrett (F) forced a throw in off Hunter, Rowe took the throw in finding Salter, his lay off went to Prince whose excellent volley from just inside the penalty area was expertly pushed over the crossbar by keeper, Marsh, a great save that had spectators holding their heads. Rowe took the resulting corner, sending the ball into the six-yard box, a number of shots rained in, only to be blocked by some resolute defending. A throw in taken by Monk, found Salter, again Prince was on hand to shoot, this time just wide and a goal kick followed, the home team kept up the pressure, a cross from Miles saw Watson conceded a corner, Rowe took the corner, Monk and Salter went for the same ball and a goal kick followed, as did half-time as the goal kick was taken.
HALF-TIME: 1 – 0.
Before the second half restart, East Thurrock Community made a player change, off went Barrett (J) with Barnes taking his place, meaning Salter would drop back into central defence, it would be Alresford Colne Rangers who would kick off. A free kick taken by Vearer was headed firmly away by Salter, Barnes gave chase down the left side, but ran the ball out of play, from the goal kick Watson pushed the ball wide to Shipe, who also ran out of ground. On fifty minutes, East Thurrock Community were denied a second goal, Miles found Prince, lurking in space, his goal bound effort brought another fine save from keeper, Marsh. When Balaam worked the ball into Morgan-Eagle his rising shot flew over the crossbar, this was a much better start from the visitors, Barnacle passed to Barrett (F), Hunter conceded a corner, taken right-footed by Rowe to Salter whose fine header was blocked on the goal line by Watson. East Thurrock Community had wrestled back the early second half possession from the visitors and a fine passing move involving Rowe, Barnes, Barnacle saw Prince shoot just over the crossbar.
A spate of niggly fouls followed, Morgan-Eagle on Barrett (F), taken by Miles from the right side, found Barnes but in an off-side position. At the other end Balaam embarked on a solo dribble through the home midfield area but then came up against Salter who blocked any further progress. Reeman played a superb ball through to Barnacle, from his low driven cross both Barnes and Prince missed a glorious chance with no defenders around them, the visitors did get up the field from the restart, Scotcher forcing a corner off Salter. On sixty-three minutes Alresford Colne Rangers made a player change, off went Thapa and on went Powis then East Thurrock Community made a change as well, Barrett (F) being replaced by McGowan. Morgan-Eagle and Shipe worked the ball down the left side and gained a throw in off Salter, from a driven cross by Vanhinsburgh, Scotcher was inches away from making contact and the danger passed. On seventy minutes, East Thurrock Community scored their second goal, it came from a poor throw in by Watson, Vearer failed to give his pass back to Watson enough power and THOMAS BARNACLE outstripped the retreating defence to run through and score with ease, that goal should put a few nerves to bed!
With eighteen minutes remaining, East Thurrock Community replaced Bussell with Gardener, Prince became the second home player to receive a caution, this for a heavy challenge on Morgan-Eagle, then McGowan fouled Watson, the ball had broken free, Barnacle gave chase and skied the ball over the goal, then received a yellow card for kicking the ball way! East Thurrock Community scored their third goal soon after, McGowan held the ball up before releasing THOMAS BARNACLE, who ran on, was baulked by the advancing keeper, Marsh, but continued running goalwards to head the bouncing ball into the unguarded net. Morgan-Eagle who had received an earlier caution in the first half, then manhandled Reeman to the ground, with the game stopped, the visitors took off Vanhinsburgh and sent on Impey. The final flourish of attacking football came from the home team, McGowan used his pace, found Prince in support, the cross from Rowe was headed over the goal by McGowan.
FULL TIME: 3 – 0.
This was never going to be classic match, Alresford Colne Rangers have struggled this season and remain rooted to the bottom of the table, East Thurrock Community have impressed all season and still sit second in the table, they remain four points behind Thorpe Athletic with two matches still to play, however, Great Bentley have three matches left, its tight at the top and the division will probably go the last game.
Turning to my choice of Star player, numerous players put in a good shift in testing conditions, it was warm, no breeze and a rock-hard pitch however, for his overall performance I’ve gone for Kieron Miles of East Thurrock Community, just ahead of Jack Balaam for Alresford Colne Rangers.
Teams:
EAST THURROCK COMMUNITY FC:
Colours: Amber Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks.
Team:
Tommy Bruley., Joe Barrett., Bobby Reeman., Thomas Barnacle., Kieron Miles., Zachary Bussell., Flynn Monk., Freddie Barrett., Lewis Rowe., Harry Prince (C)., Harry Salter.
Manager: John Coventry.
Assistant Manager: Kevin Scott.
Used Substitutes: Lewis Gardiner., Ross Barnes., Kieron McGowan.
Unused Substitutes: Joey Purdy
ALRESFORD COLNE RANGERS FC:
Colours: Red & Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Red & Black Socks.
Team:
Alex Marsh., Tomasz Podrazik., Connor Watson., Jack Balaam (C)., Lain Vearer., Ryan Hunter., Nathan Vanhinsburgh., Ronnie-Jayden Morgan-Eagle., Alex Scotcher., Colin Thapa., Ayotomide Shipe.
Manager: Jamie Meadows.
Assistant Manager: Mark Henry.
Used Substitutes: Kieran Knevett., William Powis., Ryan Impey.
Unused Substitutes: William Daff., Rafe Chapman.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Anthony Phillipps.
Assistant Referees: Grant Teasell
and Richard Windibank
STAR PLAYER: Kieron MILES (EAST THURROCK COMMUNITY FC)
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