Great Wakering Rovers 4, East Thurrock United 0
BEFORE this Ryman One North Essex derby Rocks manager John Coventry had talked of how it would be a test of character for his team after their exit from the FA Cup on Saturday.

The East Thurrock boss said he was concerned about how his team would respond and his fears proved valid as they went a goal behind and striker Kurt Smith got himself sent off for abusing the referee.

Improving Wakering, who pulled off a goalless draw at leaders Brentwood on Saturday, enjoyed this triumph against another promotion-chasing side.

Ex-Southend Manor man Ben Hudson set-up Neil Richmond to gave the hosts a 19th minute lead and, after Smith had exited for his early bath, scored the second himself nine minutes after the break.

Richmond (64 minutes) and Dan Trenkel (a 78th minute penalty) rounded off the scoring.

Coventry said he believed the dismissal of Smith inside the first half hour proved decisive and he had a rocket for the young striker - and a warning for his other players.

"I have no problem with the referee's decision," said the manager. "Kurt showed dissent for a yellow and then had another go to get himself a straight red.

"I am not having that. I will not have players in my team who go gobbing off at officials. If they want to do that they can go and play for another team.

"Kurt has apologised to me and the other players and I have accepted it. I hope he will learn from it but he knows he cost us three points.

"It's not sour grapes because Wakering worked hard but we were chasing the game with 10 men and with 11 I think we would have done it.

"The ten who came out in the second half gave everything and they tried hard and I was pleased they got the ball down and tried to play, but ten chasing 11 is always difficult.

"Our only other league defeat came with ten men against which I think proves the point."

Rocks gave a debut to Elliot Gresham, a signing from Wakering, and Coventry had sympathy for the player, who replaced the unavailable Ben Wood at the heart of the defence.

"It was difficult for him coming in there and we missed the steadying influence of Ben. When Kurt got sent off we rearranged and Elliot had to play in a three at the back which must have been unsettling for him, particularly as he hasn't played for a couple of weeks," said Coventry.

After success defeats, Rocks face a tough test on Saturday when they travel to league rivals Cheshunt in the FA Trophy.

Ryman Division One North, up to and inc Tues, Oct 14

  P W D L F A +/- Pts 1 Brentwood Town 12 9 3 0 25 7 +18 30 2 Waltham Abbey 12 8 3 1 28 11 +17 27 3 Aveley 12 7 5 0 20 6 +14 26 4 Leyton 12 7 1 4 27 16 +11 22 5 East Thurrock United 10 7 1 2 24 16 +8 22 6 Wingate & Finchley 11 6 3 2 22 12 +10 21 7 Redbridge 12 5 5 2 23 13 +10 20 8 Concord Rangers 11 6 2 3 20 12 +8 20 9 Ware 10 6 1 3 22 15 +7 19 10 Maldon Town 12 5 3 4 19 17 +2 18 11 Northwood 12 5 3 4 15 13 +2 18 12 Tilbury 13 5 2 6 22 18 +4 17 13 Cheshunt 11 5 1 5 16 17 -1 16 14 Enfield Town 11 4 2 5 23 25 -2 14 15 Great Wakering Rovers 12 3 4 5 14 21 -7 13 16 Potters Bar Town 12 2 5 5 15 16 -1 11 17 Thamesmead Town 10 3 2 5 14 18 -4 11 18 Chatham Town 12 3 1 8 15 22 -7 10 19 Ilford 11 2 1 8 6 21 -15 7 20 Waltham Forest 13 1 2 10 9 32 -23 5 21 Hillingdon Borough 12 1 1 10 7 31 -24 4 22 Witham Town 11 1 1 9 14 41 -27 4