Report
Jermain HUghes set a club scoring record after netting his sixth goal in as many games, a strike which helped Pennant record an important win over promotion rivals East Thurrock.
As well as having to contend with a swirling wind, the home side also suffered from the loss of team captain Michael Milton and a change of goalkeeper before the game, but still managed to look by far the stronger side from the kick-off. Though it wasn’t until 39 minutes had passed that Ryan Harris finally made the breakthrough for the home side.
A good cross from Cyril Baffour found him in space on the left of the visitors’ penalty area and with Rocks’ keeper Caton caught in no-man’s land after he came out to try and claim it, Harris was able to shoot under him for his first goal for the club.
Pennant carved out a perfect start to the second half when they scored in the 48th minute.
Ian Barnes and Hughes once again caused problems down the right and following a cross from the latter that was poorly punched clear by Coton, Carl Brown headed the ball back over the keeper.
From then on, the home side were totally dominant and could have increased their lead had they been rewarded for some of the excellent passing movements.
But it wasn’t until the 70th minute that they found the killer goal when following another excellent cross by Neil Tilley, Hughes found space to crash the ball home for his record-breaking strike.
Pennant were unable to extend their lead further, despite a series of chances and in the dying minutes East Thurrock gained a consolation effort, when Guy Barker managed to find himself free on the left of the penalty area and shot an excellent goal.