EAST Thurrock United walloped Gosport Borough 5-1 to record a hugely impressive result in the National League South.

East Thurrock were playing against the wind in the first-half but began much brighter than Gosport, passing the ball freely and building attacks through the midfield.

The Rocks took the lead inside 10 minutes from a well worked corner. The ball was played low towards Joe Gardner 12 yards out, in line with the front post, and his first time strike nestled into the bottom right corner.

Gosport took 30 minutes to get into the game, but they had two very good chances in close succession.

The second effort resulted in an equaliser as Ben Harding's powerful strike on the edge of the box was parried away, but left back Tom Bird reacted quickest to score from close range.

After the break, the Rocks restarted just as lively as they had in the first half and they re-took the lead on 53 minutes, courtesy of a coolly taken strike by Harry Honesty.

Substitute Michael Freiter worked the ball into Reece Harris, who played a piercing through ball for Honesty to strike home.

Joe Ellul made it 3-1 on the 57th minute, nodding the ball in at the back post from an excellent curling corner by Freiter.

Star man Honesty got his second and the Rocks’ fourth goal in the 64th minute, with some assistance from the wind.

Goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius claims an assist as his huge goal kick found Honesty in behind the defence to score.

Gosport then gifted East Thurrock their fifth as a defender played a loose pass across goal, which Freiter latched onto to finish from close range, albeit at the second time of asking after ‘keeper Martin Rice parried his first effort back out.

In the Ryman Premier League, Grays Athletic came from behind once again to earn a share of the spoils against Bognor Regis Town.

Bognor started well and they deservedly took the lead on 18 minutes, as winger James Fraser buried the ball past Grays goalkeeper Charlie Crowley.

Grays’ L’heureux Menga was frustrated in his search for a third goal in three games, with David Fallah buzzing around for the hosts.

Manager Jamie Stuart introduced himself before the half-hour, replacing centre-half Hafeez Sanusi, and Grays bounced back in the second-half, and should have drawn level before they hit the back of the net as Menga unleashed a fierce drive which cannoned back off the crossbar.

The equaliser came with 25 minutes remaining as Cole stepped up and powered the ball past Bognor Regis goalkeeper Billy Granger.

Bognor had chances to win as the match went on but it ended all square.

A familiar face came back to haunt Aveley as Abs Thompson’s goal helped AFC Hornchurch through in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Thompson struck with 20 minutes remaining to send the Urchins through although it was another Abs that came within inches of opening the scoring in the first period.

Abs Seymour’s free-kick beat the goalkeeper but not the crossbar on the half hour mark.

David Knight came close on several occasions for Hornchurch but it was goalless at the break.

The goal, when it came, was avoidable as Thompson was most alert after Millers keeper Richie Robbins spilled the ball at his feet.

And that was how it stayed.

There was a shock as Thurrock went down 3-2 to Eastern Counties Division One side Halstead Town.

A wretched first hour of the match saw Fleet go 3-0 down, although the wind played a big part in two of those goals.

Tom Cook and Joe O’Hare made it 2-0 and substitute Charlie Pleace added a third shortly before the hour mark.

Mark Stimson’s team needed a response and an own goal got them back in contention with 20 minutes remaining.

Charlie Stimson made it 3-2 but they couldn’t force a leveller.

Tilbury came from behind against Brentwood Town to book their place in the first qualifying round, winning 2-1.

Lamar Reynolds had put Brentwood ahead but a Kurt Smith penalty on 20 minutes levelled the scores.

Tony Martin hit the winner 10 minutes before half-time.