Some people would have you believe that Lewes are sure to win the Ryman Two championship - East Thurrock will beg to differ.

And why not? Rocks went back to the top of the table following a sensational performance last night against opposition a long way from being the worst in the division.

Indeed going into the game Marlow had lost fewer matches than their visitors, but were to suffer a second consecutive home defeat to a Thurrock side and one far more humiliating than the loss to Tilbury.

Rikki Finning was to take his season's goal-tally up 18 goals with a first hat-trick of the season to leave East Thurrock three points clear of Lewes but having played five more games.

Yet the East Sussex side remain in the FA Vase plus their county cup and these commitments could lead to them having to play more than twice a week.

The Rooks, who have already lost to the Rocks, have still to visit Rookery Hill, with that game scheduled just two weeks before the season's end.

More immediately, East Thurrock will be under some pressure to maintain an unbeaten run of seven games under manager Dave Card at Horsham on Saturday because they lie in third place.

A similar start to the one at Marlow won't go amiss, as Rocks went three up in 35 minutes.

Finning's flicked header to a near post corner was the opening score, followed by the home defence being torn apart to leave simple opportunities for James Dwyer and Adam French.

Rocks could be forgiven for being somewhat gung-ho, but were to pay for it with Nicky Ryder and James Pritchard ending a rip-roaring first half by putting Marlow right back in the game.

Not long into the restart, Dean Allen picked out Finning's intelligent run and with that subsequent goal you almost saw Marlow deflate.

The prospect of having to fightback again was not one they seemed to relish and this time East Thurrock made it more difficult by tightening up more than in the opening period.

Finning completed his hat-trick on 63 minutes and was then removed for further battles ahead. Substitute Danny Curran, from a pass by fellow sub Anthony Reeve, completed a night to remember with ten minutes remaining.

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002