This local derby has been played many times before however this one had significant importance for coach Enrico Tiritera as it was the first time he had faced the club he managed last season since leaving.
Rovers were afforded the luxury of having a weekend off which was forced on them by the torrential downpours and flash flooding which hit this area of Essex which meant the game being postponed. Hullbridge themselves only managed half a game as theirs was abandoned at half time.

This gave Rovers a bit more time for those carrying knocks to recover in particular centre back Stuart Hepburn (ankle) who has formed a formidable partnership with Nick Skelton at the heart of the defence which along with Adam Seal in goal has seen us keep three clean sheets in the last four outings including this game.

Hullbridge won the toss and kicked off on this balmy summers evening however just like the midges, feasting on us supporters, it was the home side who were first on the attack and were showing their intent when on five minutes Billy Radley won a free kick just outside the box. The inform Billy Johnson took it and it was deflected wide for a corner. Max Kent delivered a great ball in the box and Johnson went for it colliding with a defender and hurting his left arm in the process which required treatment.

The next ten minutes saw the game settle down and Hullbridge came into it more. This is a much changed side from the one we met on that bitterly cold day at Lower Road. There was an extra zip about their play and they put in some good spells of pressure and possession.
On thirteen minutes a good goal kick from Adam Seal, after a Hullbridge corner was put wide, saw a great flick on by Dan Trenkel into the path of Billy Johnson who saw keeper Bobby Mason off his line and his attempted lob went wide. Johnson was clearly struggling with the knock to his arm picked up earlier.

The next ten minutes was all Hullbridge as they continued to press however Skelton and Hepburn continued to command in defence meaning the visitors only meaningful chance came from a corner taken by Tom Ranger which was headed over by Perry Dunn. Hullbridge continued to impress and one player stood out for me was full back James Lacey who attacked with pace down the right and his delivery was very good. I thought he had a very good game throughout.

On twenty five minutes Rovers were forced into making a change when it was clear top scorer Johnson was unable to continue with what we understand is a ‘dead arm’ and he was replaced by Aaron Baldwin. A real shame for the inform forward.

The game continued to go from end to end then the first controversy of the game came when on 35 minutes when Hullbridges firey former Basildon midfielder Dean Smith-Shaw took what appeared was a two footed lunge on defender James Pugsley. With everyone expecting a red card Referee Martin Osborne showed a yellow. In fact the verbals alone displayed by Smith-Shaw should have warranted action as well. It wasn’t nice.
Hullbridge did have the ball in the net on thirty eight minutes after Sam Taylor’s free kick however the offside flag had already been raised.
The remainder of the half was very even with both sides creating chances but nothing to worry either keepers and at the interval the sides went in all square at 0-0.
The second half started and Hullbridge made a change when Smith-Shaw was taken off and replaced by Conner Rudd. Whether the change was injury based or to avoid the visitors being reduced to ten men at some stage is up for debate.
The first fifteen minutes of the second half Hullbridge looked the more dangerous and it took a tremendous double save by Adam Seal to deny the visitors the lead on fifty minutes. Adam has really settled as the number one and has shown to be a great shot stopper.

On sixty minutes the tide appeared to turn and Hullbridge started to look a little leggy and Rovers started to use their experience to take control with chances from Ash Hawkins, James Pugsley, Dan Trenkel, and Max Kent all causing concern for the Hullbridge rear guard.

On sixty nine minutes the home side finally broke through. A free kick was awarded on the right hand side of Hullbridges half which saw Mike Edgar pick up a needless booking for not retreating ten yards. When the kick was finally taken Max Kent delivered an inch perfect ball onto the head of the towering Nick Skelton to head the ball past Mason in goal for a 1-0 lead to Rovers. Coach Enrico erupted with delight at the break through (I wish it was filmed) as he clearly wanted to get one over on his former club.

Rovers cemented their dominance by playing keep ball and not allowing Hullbridge a chance. This seemed to frustrate the visitors and the game became a little tetchy with the officials struggling to keep things under control which was a shame as it had been a good game so far.
On seventy five minutes Rovers made another change when Ash Hawkins was replaced by the returning favourite Dave Collins for his first action in five weeks. Its great to see him back and he showed no signs of rustiness during the rest of the game.

Hullbridge also made a change with Mike Edgar coming off and replaced by Tom Peck.
The next ten minutes saw Hullbridge rally again and chances fell to Sam Taylor on eighty two minutes and a free kick by Tom Ranger on eighty six in a dangerous position which was scooped high over the bar by the number ten. They also made another change when Rob Lacey was replaced by Rory Clark.
By this time the visitors had run out of steam and Rovers dominated the final five minutes of the game with lengthy spells of possession with referee Osborne calling time on proceedings with the home side picking up their third win in three and leap to the top of the table.

What we did learn from this game is that there is the desire to grind out results against tricky opponents which was lacking last year which is great to see. Enrico was correct at the end when he turned to us and said ‘we wouldn’t have won that last year’.

Also with the return of Dave Collins and the form of Max Kent we have two players perfectly capable of playing that ‘killer’ ball and create numerous chances.

What we also learned is that Hullbridge are a decent side this season and will shock quite a few teams once they get that blend of youth and experience and those sentiments were echoed by all the Wakering faithful.

An away trip to Brentwood awaits next in the FA Cup and we have absolutely no reason to fear them despite being a League above.

ROVERS
1. Adam Seal
2. James Pugsley
3. Max Kent
4. George Artemi
5. Stuart Hepburn
6. Nick Skelton (c)
7. Billy Radley
8. Jay Smith
9. Dan Trenkel
10. Ashley Hawkins
11. Billy Johnson

12. Aaron Baldwin (On for Johnson, 25)
14. Joe Skeels
15. Harry Skinner
16. Dave Collins (on for Hawkins

Bookings:
Rovers: N/A
Hullbridge: Dean Smith-Shaw (foul 35), Michael Edgar (dissent 69)

Sent Off: N/A

Referee: Martin Osbourne
Assistants:

Attendance: 106

Rovers Man of the Match: Nick Skelton