TILBURY travelled to Cricklefields, home to Ilford Football Club on Saturday.
Paul Shave’s midweek transfer to Concord Rangers allowed Joel Barnett his chance up front. Donny Barnard named in the starting 11 is back from injury takes up his normal midfield role and the normally ever present Christian Wheeler was missing due to a family commitment.
Ilford started the brighter: the Dockers not able to get into their stride looked lethargic as they struggled to keep possession.
Fifteen minutes gone and against the run of play, Ilford take the lead. A long ball punted up-field to Jarreau McCarthy who sprints off towards the Tilbury goal, and from just inside the box struck the ball well which crashes off the inside of the post, across goal and in off the other post! The pacey striker received a yellow card as a reward for his exuberant celebration.
Ilford extend their lead from a move involving Junior Appiah who tore off down the right passed Bradley Barnes and to the edge of the area, Appiah struck the ball across goal which took a deflection off the chest of Tilbury’s Danny Smith and into the net, 2-0.
Into the second period and both teams continue where they left off in the first period, Ilford looking for ever the long ball opportunists and the Dockers looking comatosed!
Early into the second period and Tilbury made their first substitute, two goal hero last Saturday Ben Bradbury made way for Jarred Small the Dockers recent new signing from Barking enters the field!
Ilford increase their lead. A Dockers corner is sent into the arms of Ilford’s keeper Pape Diagne who punts a long ball up-field over the Dockers defence and into the path of McCarthy who sprints off towards goal, The Dockers Keeper out quickly but clashes with McCarthy who at the very last minute stuck out a foot which was enough contact to see the ball dribble over the line! 3-0 to the Foxes.
A quick succession of substitutions for the Dockers saw Nathan Gordon and Chris Stowe on for Bradley Barnes and Chris Taylor.
The Dockers pull one back, Manlee Brown showing real determination to bundle the ball over the line, 3-1.
Ilford pour on even more misery to their visitors by going 4-1 up. A real keystone cop moment saw Junior Appiah latch onto a long ball down the right and was clearly 5 yards off-side, it was difficult for even the staunch Ilford supporters to hide their blushes as the linesman allowed Appiah to continue on his run and swing the ball across goal which saw the unmarked Victor Omegbehin slot home from 6 yards out!
The Dockers quickly capitalise after a good run down the left to the by line by Jarred Small who sends in a good ball high into the box which sees Manlee Brown bustle the ball into the net, 4-2.
Ilford once again extend their lead, a corner driven into the feet of Ilford Substitute Troy Hewitt who is left in acres of space has plenty of time to turn from about 7 yards out to stroke the ball into the net.
With around seven minutes left on the clock, the Dockers finally sprung into life and lay siege on the Ilford goal. Two quick goals by Manlee Brown put the Dockers right back into the game at 5-4, but sadly there wasn’t enough time to get anything from the game.
The Dockers next game is at home at Chadfields to VDC Athletic on Tuesday 2nd March – Kick off at 7:45pm.
Man of the Match
Manlee Brown – Score of all 4 Tilbury Goals.
Ilford : Pape Diagne, Tom Newell, Jack Sawyer, Justin Maynard, Sam West, James Pooley (Capt), Junior Appiah, Richard Simpson, Jarreau McCarthy, Victor Omegbehin, Ian Cooper Substitutes, Troy Hewitt, Abraham Adejokan, Michael Thompson, George Dawson.
Tilbury : Andy Hall, Danny Smith, Joe Keith, Jamie Wallace (Capt) Glen Golby, Chris Taylor, Donny Barnard, Manlee Brown , Joel Barnett, Ben Bradbury, Bradley Barnes, Substitutes, Chris Stowe, Jarred Small, Lee Hodges, Andy Gibb, Nathan Gordon.
Match Officials
Referee: Mr A. Mead
1st Assistant: Mr R. Albert
2nd Assistant: Mr A. King
Att: 50
