Tilbury 4 v 1 Harlow Town

Tilbury welcomed Harlow Town to Chadfield’s on a wet and windy Tuesday night. The Dockers starting line-up sees Daniel Smith back from injury also Manlee Brown slotting in up front with Kayan Kalipha leaving Joel Barnett on the Subs bench. Also Tilbury Boss – Graham Chester handing midfielder Donny Barnard his debut.

The visitors show early on in the game that they had not come to just sit back as they push the ball forward trying to catch the Dockers off guard, however, Tilbury’s home form in the league has been impressive this season – P7 W5 D1 L1 F14 A6, therefore it wasn’t long before the Dockers began to take control of the game.

The Dockers took the lead 34 minutes into the game – A Joe Keith free kick from just outside the area, sees the experienced defender curl the ball into the top corner of the net to give the Dockers a 1-0 lead.

Several chances go begging for both sides but fail to make an impact on the game as match says 1-0 at the break.

The second period and Harlow now with the strong wind at their backs come out of the blocks fighting and equal the score in the 48th minute, a well worked ball into the Dockers penalty area resulted in Harlow’s Gavin Taylor slotting home from close range to bring the score level at 1-1.

Dockers make an early substitute – Joel Barnett on for Kayan Kalipha.

Harlow continue to put pressure on the Dockers back-line of Daniel Smith, Rickie Hales, Glen Golby and Joe Keith, Harlow’s Oliver Cleaver collecting the ball from the halfway line and pushes forward as the Dockers defence were back tracking – Cleaver within 5 yards of the Tilbury box curled in a venomous shot which whizzed inches past the post.

59 minutes gone and Joe Keith collecting the ball from 15 yards within his own area, spotting Joel Barnett making his run, sends in a well timed pass over the shoulder of Barnett who times his run to perfection – to half volley the ball over the head of Harlow keeper – Ashley Harris to give the Dockers the lead – 2-1.

Tilbury make their second substitute, Donny Barnard made way for Nathan Gordon.

69 minutes on the clock – both substitutes having a massive impact on the game – Nathan Gordon set-off with speed down the right, almost to the byline as the nippy winger sent in a teasing ball across goal into the path of Barnett, who simply slid the ball into the net from close range, 3-1 to the Dockers.

Tilbury made their 3rd substitute, the impressive and industrious Manlee Brown made way for Chris Stowe returning from a long term injury.

84th minute and Harlow still pushing the Dockers defence get caught cold, as the ball is sent up field to the feet of Nathan Gordon, Gordon surges into the Harlow half with Harlow’s defenders in toe, the nippy midfielder in to the box and from an acute angle fires the ball into the net to extend the Dockers lead to 4-1.

Into injury time and Barnett had a chance to score his third, the ball driven in by Glen Golby who unselfishly lays the ball to his left where Barnet was ready to unleash a blistering effort, however, Ashley Harris did well to palm the ball out which kept the final score at 4-1.
A good natured game with no cautions, which was well officiate by Mr. Parker and his able assistants Mr. Langsdon and Mr. Fountain.

Man of the Match


Joel Barnett – Prolific Goal Scorer.

Tilbury : Andy Hall, Daniel Smith, Joe Keith, Rickie Hayles, Glen Golby, Jamie Wallace (Capt), Donny Barnard, Christian Wheeler, Manlee Brown, Kayan Kalipha, Bradley Barnes, Substitutes, Chris Stowe, Lee Hodges, Nathan Gordon, Joel Barnett, Andy Gibb.
Harlow Town : Ashley Harris, Rikel Christian, Joe Clemo, Michael Pelley (Capt) Liam Thomas, Oliver Cleaver, Daryl Doolan, Eyong Tamberson, Gavin Taylor, Ashley Taylor-Forbes, Charlie Simpson, Substitutes, Julian Edwards, Gbenia Adegbite, Mervin Abraham, Jason Mason, Ola Akinnawo.
Match Officials
Referee: Mr. A.S Parker
1st Assistant: Mr. A. Langsdon
2nd Assistant: Mr. C. Fountain

Att: 87