Tilbury welcomed Thamesmead Town to Chadfield’s on Tuesday night. Prior to the game on Tuesday Kent based Thamesmead Town managed by Keith McMahon have turned a few heads this season, also ran out 4-2 victors against the Dockers earlier in the year knocking the Tilbury men out of the FA Cup.
The Dockers named a virtually unchanged side that drew away to Northwood on Saturday, the only change saw Lee Hodges make way for Ben Bradbury.
The game opened as a midfield tussle, first opportunity feel to Thamesmead 8 minutes into the game, when the visitors got to the by-line and whipping in a teasing ball which fell into the path of Danny Moore and from just inside the box smashed the ball out for a goal kick, Andy Hall appeared to have the shot covered as he allowed the ball to run out of play.
13th minute and Joe Keith sent forward a long ball down the left, Christian Wheeler turned a defender and from the by-line sends in a perfectly weighted pass onto the diving head of Kayan Kalipha whose effort goes over the bar.
The Dockers defence of Daniel Smith, Ricky Hayles, Glen Golby and Joe Keith looked really strong as a unit, now look to have found a real understanding as they make up the rear guide of the Dockers back-line.
Kalipha on a solo run down the left in the 35th minute, Kalipha with the ball at his feet goes route one, Thamesmead’s Peter Smith challenges but lost his balance as he hits the floor, leaving Kalipha a free run at goal. Thamesmead’s keeper came out to narrow the gap which appears to force the Tilbury striker to shoot early but fails to hit the target instead hits the side netting and out for a goal kick.
Second half and the Dockers take the lead in the 53rd minute: the move started with some good foot work from Joe Keith in his own half as he sends Ben Bradbury off down the left hand-side, the lively youngster turns his marker just inside the box and curls in a great ball onto the head of Kayan Kalipha who nods home from close range.
Thamesmead pick-up the pace and although have much possession failed to penetrate a resolute Tilbury defence. In fact it was Tilbury that come close on the counter in the 68th minute a long ball out by Jamie Wallace falls over the shoulder of Joel Barnet whose long range effort sails just over the bar.
Dockers make a substitute in the 72nd minute, Joel Barnet off for Manlee Brown.
The game continues to be battled in midfield, Thamesmead once more up the pace – but it’s the Dockers that come close in injury time, first from a 30 yard free kick, Jamie Wallace sending in a fabulous ball into the box which resulted in a Manlee Brown glancing header going just wide of the post.
In the 3rd minute of injury time – Manlee Brown involved once again as he collected the ball from Ben Bradbury and whips in a across goal, Kalipha collecting the ball from inside the box, lays it up for Chris Taylor who smashes the ball goal-bound, but The Meads’ keeper scoops the ball up to safety.
Thamesmead thought to have equalised in the last remaining seconds of the game, the ball driven across field and into the path of Andy
Constable who slams the ball into the net from close range, but the powerful striker was left disappointed as he was flagged for offside, which looked to be a close call.
Match official Mr Saliy brings the game to a close, The Dockers secure 3 points, after the nights other results lifts the Dockers into 12th spot, only 6 points off the leaders!
Thamesmead boss – Keith McMahon although hugely disappointed always the gentlemen and congratulated Tilbury on their win. McMahon’s team dropped down to 5th spot in the league, the Mead boss has done a superb job for the Kent based side in the last few seasons and it was not hard to see why the Mead are doing so well this season, McMahon has got the team bonded as a unit and playing attractive football.
Dockers’ boss – Graham Chester was delighted with his teams performance as he left the pitch on Tuesday night, Chester said “That was a great performance from our lads The defence was solid all night and they are now playing the way I know they can. Chadfield’s is becoming a fortress, we have lost only once at home in the League this season and that was the opening game of the season – losing 1-0 to Potters Bar Town, If we can pickup our away form which we now seem to be doing we will begin to challenge and hit my personal target of a play off position”
Man of the Match
Ben Bradbury – Talented youngster.
Tilbury : Andy Hall, Daniel Smith, Joe Keith, Rickie Hayles, Glen Golby, Jamie Wallace (Capt), Joel Barnett, Christian Wheeler, Chris Taylor, Kayan Kalipha, Ben Bradbury, Substitutes, Lee Hodges, Lee Hayes, Courtney Mclean, Manlee Brown, Jack Avery.
Thamesmead Town : Steve Northwood, Peter Smith, Danny Moore, Junior Baker, James Campbell, Lew Tozer, Scott Mulholland, Marcus Perona, Andy Constable, Rikki Cable, Lee Dawson, Substitutes, Tony Russell, Gabriel Momadu, Raphael Momadu, Steve Cant, Pedro Knight.
Match Officials
Referee: Mr O. Saliy
1st Assistant: Mr Q. Pearsall
2nd Assistant: Mr Davies
Att: 38
