Wealdstone 0, East Thurrock United 2

THE only thing to mar an impressive display by Rocks was the late dismissal of striker Steve West for clumsy challenge that saw Dean Harding stretchered off.

Both sides fielded new signings, Byron Bubb getting a start for Rocks after impressing in the midweek friendly against Thurrock and Stones giving debuts to Meddie Nsubuga and Darryl Cox.

The home side started well and after Cox had shot just wide he put in a cross that struck a defender's hand, bring cries for a penalty that went unheard. The half was pretty much an even affair, with both sides creating chances and Rocks' Lee Burns establishing himself as the most influential player on the field with some probing passes.

However the opening goal on 39 minutes owed more to the direct approach with keeper Mark Hardingham booting the ball upfield. Stones' defence hesitated, with defender Dave Ryan and keeper Russell Ling at odds on how to deal with it. That was just the chance Tony Boot needed and he nipped in behind Ryan and cooly chipped Ling from the edge of the box.

The second half started in similar vein to the first, but another mistake after 51 minutes allowed the visitors to double the lead when Dave Norman under hit a back pass. This time West was on hand to beat the keeper to the ball and slot home.

As East Thurrock began to dominate, Stones brought on another new signing Ross White and Jermaine Beckford, a move that stemmed the flow.

Stones then began to create better chances and Richard Jolly had three in quick succession - a through ball from Andy Keepence resulting in a snap shot high over the bar, a cross from Burrell in a shot that he fired against the bar and a third effort which produced a good save from Hardingham.

At the other end Rocks also hit the woodwork when Burns broke away. His shot beat Ling only to hit the inside of the post and rebound across the goal.

Sadly, the game ended on a low for Rocks with the dismissal on 74 minutes of West. His challenge on Harding was more clumsy than malicious but left the referee with little option to go for red.

With an extra man, Wealdstone finished strongly but Rocks were more than equal to the task and emerged worthy winners.