THE DOCKER’S good run ended with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Heybridge Swifts.
A monotonous opening 20 minutes saw the ball held up in midfield, the first chance falling in the 20th minute to Kayan Kalipha, a through ball by Jamie Wallace to Kalipha whose effort forces Swifts keeper down low to keep the score-line 0-0.
The Dockers were using the long throw-in tactic by Rickie Hayles. His throw into the box found Christian Wheeler, who, with his back to goal, tried an over-head kick which went wide of the post.
Tilbury continued to put pressure on the Swifts defence – Kalipha sets off once more towards the Swifts goal but blasted the ball wide of the post!
The Dockers defence were caught cold in the 29th minute. – A great delivery by Swifts Russell Malton in-between the Dockers back four and Andy Hall saw Sam Adejokun collect and stroke the ball into the net, 1-0 to the visitors.
The Dockers went in search of an equaliser. Tilbury’s Skipper Jamie Wallace went on a driving run into the heart of the Swifts defence. He laid the ball into the path of Manlee Brown whose effort blasts wide of the post.
In the 43rd minute, Tilbury lost possession in the middle of the park. Fiston Manuella collected the ball and sent a divine pass into the path of Adejokun who times his run to perfection and calmly guides the ball past Andy Hall to make the score 2-0 at the break.
In the second half, the Swifts defence stayed strong soaking up much of the Tilbury pressure.
Tilbury, with three up front looked to pressurise the visitors goal. Once again, the Swifts respond with calm heads and continued to look defensively strong with Phillip Goodwin holding his defence and midfield together.
The Swifts on-loan Striker from Colchester United – Russell Malton speeds off down the left and cuts across goal as he lines up his shot which carries across the face of the Tilbury goal and out for a goal kick.
The Dockers make their third and final substitute – Danny Smith off for Nathan Gordon.
Joe Keith and Donny Barnard combined well: Keith the supplier results in a cracking shot from Barnard just inside the box – The Swifts keeper Jamie Bowyer does well to make the save,
Tilbury continued to pressurise the Swifts defence – Nathan Gordon does well to ghost past a crowed defence sets himself up from 10 yards out – Once again Swifts keeper does well to touch the ball out for a corner.
Into injury time and a ball over the top of the advancing Swift defence sees Manlee Brown in on goal, Bowyer quickly out of his goal and bravely swept the ball off the feet of the powerful striker.
Match official Mr Evetts bringing the game to a close. The Dockers had their chances but looked uncomfortable and uncertain in front of goal!
The Dockers next game is away to Potters Bar Town on Saturday 19th December kick off at 3pm.
Man of the Match
Glen Golby – Battled till the End.
Tilbury : Andy Hall, Danny Smith (Nathan Gordon 74), Joe Keith, Richie Hayles, Glen Golby, Jamie Wallace, Donny Barnard, Christian Wheeler, Manlee Brown, Kayan Kalipha (Ben Bradbury 65), Bradley Barnes ( Chris Stowe 54). Unused Subs: Lee Hodges, Chris Taylor.
Heybridge Swifts : Jamie Bowyer, Jake Gibson, Ryan Hull, Luke Fisher, Philip Goodwin, Russell Malton, Ricky Griggs, Fiston Manuella, Leon Antoine, Sam Adejokun (Tom Broadhurst 84), Wayne Semanshia (C) (Reece Morgan 73). Unused Subs: Nathan Smith, Nick Muir, Julian Simon-Parsons.
Match Officials
Referee: Mr. G. Evetts
1st Assistant: Mr. Q. Pearsall
2nd Assistant: Mr. J. Latham
Att: 68
