TILBURY travelled to Cricklefield’s Stadium to face Waltham Forest on saturday. The Docker’s home tie with The Stags was back in August 2009, where the points shared in a 2-2 draw, scorers were Sam Adejokun and Dean Pennant for the Stags and a Joe Keith Penalty and Ben Bradbury goal secured a point a piece.
A strong lineup for the Dockers ahead of the game sees Lee Hodges back in the starting 11, along with Donny Barnard in midfield.
The game kicked off in the glorious Sunshine. The Dockers first off the mark in the 5th minute, a defence splitting pass by Manlee Brown into the path of Nathan Gordon, Gordon in the box with defenders in toe just needed to chip the Stags keeper who was off his line, however instead tried to round Jason Willis who did well to block Gordon’s path at the pacey striker ran out of room and out for a goal kick!
The hosts hit back in the 21st minute – Andrew Thomas causing problems for the Dockers defence broke through into the Tilbury box and with just the keeper to beat fired in his shot, Andy Hall spreading himself wide managed to block Thomas’s effort and out for a Corner.
Not many chances being created at either end as the game went into the break at 0-0.
Into the second period and the Stags come close to taking the lead in the 51st minute – Andrew Thomas once more piling-on the pressure onto the Tilbury defence as he rounds 2 defenders and cruises into the box, before unleashing his shot which smashes off the post and out for a goal kick, lucky escape for Tilbury.
The Dockers try to sniff out an opener, a long ball into the box by Glen Golby sees Joe Keith control the ball brilliantly 18 yards and hits a half volley towards goal but the ball just slides wide of the post.
68th minute and the Dockers take the lead. A free kick 40 yards from goal swept into the area saw Nathan Gordon rise high to nod the ball past Willis to make the score 1-0 to Tilbury.
The Dockers making a few substitutions – Manlee Brown made way for Chris Taylor and Donny Barnard off for Ben Bradbury.
The Dockers seem not content with just the one goal – go all out for another, some good work by Christian Wheeler gave Jarred Small the opportunity to turn a defender just outside the box and fire in a fierce effort on goal, Jason Willis was positioned well to parry the ball down to safety.
The Dockers defence having to work in unity to deal with the pace of Ex Docker Andre Humphrey-Modeste whose pace at times down the left was electrifying; however, the Dockers brave-hart Daniel Smith was on hand to quell the exploits of the nippy winger.
The Stages continue to press for an equaliser, The Dockers skipper – Jamie Wallace reading the game superbly well and always one step ahead of the Waltham forest front line gave no quarter as the game entered the 90th minute.
Into injury time saw Thomas in the Tilbury box with his back to goal turn sharply to fire his shot into the top right hand corner of the goal, however, Andy Hall with cat like reactions sprung to his left to make a fabulous acrobatic one handed save to ensure all three points stayed with Tilbury.
The result places the Dockers into 11th spot in the league with just two more games to play before the season ends. The Dockers penultimate game is at home against Ware on the 17th April and the last game of the 2009-2011 season is away to League Champions Lowestoft Town on Saturday 24th April, where the new boys will be crowned Champions regardless of the result.
Man of the Match
Jamie Wallace – Superb Reader of the Game.
Waltham Forest : Jason Willis, Luke Hornsley, Jamie Haywood, Ben Gracey, Mosheed Olafunmishe, Ian Walsh, Luke Stanley, Des Thomas (Capt), Andrew Thomas, Dean James, Andre Humphrey-Modeste, Substitutes, Dane Dalleba, Robert Carter, Gbenga Sonuga, Jerman Hughes, Sidney Anguilley.
Tilbury : Andy Hall, Danny Smith, Glen Golby, Jamie Wallace (Capt), Joe Keith, Nathan Gordon, Donny Barnard, Christian Wheeler, Manlee Brown, Jarred Small, Lee Hodges, Substitutes, Chris Taylor, Courtney Mclean, Ben Bradbury, Andy Gibbs.
Match Officials
Referee: Mr A. Oldershaw
1st Assistant: Mr P. Reilly
2nd Assistant: Mr S. Conner
Att: 30
