After a quiet opening half hour, the game burst Into life when Lewis SMITH was in the right place to deflect a Sam Higgins drive past the Moors keeper, much to the delight of the hundred or so travelling Rocks fans.

Rocks could have been out of sight by half time, as within a minute Higgins had smashed one against the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Then Montel Agyemang set up Max Cornhill, only for the usually reliable finisher to prod his shot wide of a gaping goal, and just before the break home keeper Porter got down well to save a drive from Harry Phipps.

One was to hope that those missed opportunities wouldn't come back to haunt Covo's boys, but as it was, despite having the better of the second half, the Moors were to score just the once, when Andrew Johnson struck a sublime effort into the top corner.

Rocks had to play out the closing ten minutes or so with ten men after Michael Clark was red carded for a "last man" foul, but even then Tom Richardson could have nicked it in added time, his effort under pressure from a tight angle coming just the wrong side of the post.

So both sides go into Monday's quarter final draw ahead of what should be a cracking replay at the FutureFuel on Tuesday evening.

Moors photographer Dave Nelson captured the action as Rocks players celebrate their goal, and Lukas and Burnsy in action.

Follow this link to Dave's gallery from the tie. . https://www.facebook.com/eastthurrockfc/posts/2123428961007208

Previous Round Results:

East Thurrock 1 - 0 Chester FC

ROCKS 1 CHESTER FC 0.
FA TROPHY 2nd ROUND PROPER.

Cracking cup tie, and a fully deserved win by a committed Rocks side as they saw off yet another full time National League side to move into the last sixteen of the FA Trophy for the first time.

Mikey Cartwright was there to capture the best of the action from a historic afternoon.

Follow the link for Mikey's full photo gallery from the game. .... https://ponderosapics.photoshelter.com/gallery/East-Thurrock-United-FC-2018-01-13-Rocks-1-Chester-0-FA-Trophy-2nd-Round/G0000lrVr_9KCS4I/C00000rX4k7rQoAg/u=U0000a0jr0ERej24

The draw for the third round takes place tomorrow lunchtime. Make a note of the date of the next round, it's SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY, where we'd love to see Rocks fans out in force, be it home or away.
East Thurrock 4 - 0 Aldershot Town

A great all round team performance,
capped off by a splendid first club hat-trick from Tom Richardson saw Rocks through to the last 32 of the FA Trophy, as they comprehensively demolished the National League full timers, on a memorable afternoon at the FutureFuel.

A stunning strike from Lewis Smith was helped over the line by a desparing Aldershot defender to open the scoring on the half hour mark, then, in the absence of Sam Higgins who was serving a one game suspension, Richardson took over, completing his hat-trick in 22 second half minutes. A trio of well taken goals to put the Rocks in total control of the tie

Mikey Cartwright captured some great shots as here 1/ Tom celebrates completing his hat-trick, 2/ He retains his composure to score his first, and 3/ Maybe down, but not out as he slots home his second.

The draw tor the next round takes place on Monday lunchtime.

Follow this link for Mikeys full gallery. ......
https://ponderosapics.photoshelter.com/gallery/East-Thurrock-United-FC-2017-12-16-Rocks-4-Aldershot-Town-0-FA-Trophy-1st-Round/G0000UQ6wu38qG9E/C00000rX4k7rQoAg

Also, Thank You to our mascots from Corringham Athletic Under 8s.