EAST THURROCK UNITED (Rookery Hill)

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFF FINAL, EAST THURROCK UNITED 3-1 DULWICH HAMLET, ATTENDANCE: 1,661

After nearly a month without a visit to a new ground (the past few Saturday's have been spent watching Everton's season plunge new depths of mediocrity) I finally got the chance of a trip to Essex to watch history in the making as East Thurrock United hosted Dulwich Hamlet for the right to be promoted to the National (née Conference) South.



Neither side has ever played in a higher league than where they currently are, so the stakes were high. East Thurrock finished 3rd in the final Isthmian League standings (hence why they have home advantage) 10 points ahead of 5th placed Dulwich. Both league games against each other this season had ended in draws. East Thurrock came though Thursday's play-off semi-final with a 2-0 win over Tonbridge Angels, whilst Dulwich beat Bognor Regis Town 1-0.

The Rocks were founded in April 1969 by football enthusiasts who felt the two towns of Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope needed a senior non-league football club. It is approximately 2 miles between the towns. I know that as I walked from Stanford to the ground as the buses were rammed with supporters heading to the game. Thank goodness the weather was fine and dry for a Bank Holiday stroll!

During the club's first ever season (as members of the Southern Essex Combination) home matches were played at Corringham Recreation Ground. They subsequently moved to The Billet in Stanford-Le-Hope, before groundsharing with Grays Athletic to achieve senior status.

The club also had spells sharing with Tilbury and Purfleet before acquiring some land in Corringham and building Rookery Hill, the inaugural game being played in 1984. The club were members of the Essex Senior League until 1992 when they joined the Isthmian League and, to me the ground gives the impression of being improved as the club progressed, with five various sized stands dotted around the touchlines.

All of them were jam packed as there was a record crowd in attendance at Rookery Lane today with 1,661 spectators inside the ground. This crowd beat the previous best which was 1,207 for an FA Cup first round tie in 2011, where East Thurrock lost 3-0 to Macclesfield Town. I would estimate that Dulwich fans made up over half of the crowd today, their distinctive pink and blue adding plenty of colour to the occasion, and they made some good noise in support of their team.

Unfortunately for them their team just fell short as they were well beaten by a very well organised and efficient East Thurrock side. There was a strong wind blowing up the pitch and in the first half, playing with this wind behind them, East Thurrock took full advantage of the conditions.

George Craddock (11) gave The Rocks the lead when he scored direct from a corner. After 19 minutes their lead was doubled when another Craddock corner was headed home by Rickie Hayles. East Thurrock's third goal after 34 minutes was a carbon copy of the second as Hayles headed home another Craddock corner.

 After 37 minutes Dulwich were awarded a penalty but Lukas Lidakevicius saved Ashley Carew's effort, however Jordan Hibbert was on hand to smash home the loose ball.

In the second half Dulwich, now with the wind behind them, tried their best to get themselves into the game with a succession of balls into the box but Lidakevicius in the Rocks goal was rarely troubled and East Thurrock's well marshalled defence dealt with everything Hamlet could throw at them. 

Dulwich could have, should have, had a penalty in the second half when one effort was clearly handled off the line, but the referee obviously didn't see the offence through the crowded area.

It was East Thurrock who were therefore celebrating promotion and they were worthy winners today. I wish them good luck for the future.

Celebration time for The Rocks' players at the final whistle