TILBURY’S excellent season finished in major disappointment with a last minute Sam Newson goal and some controversial decisions by the officials. in a dramatic evening at Chadfields on Friday night. Tilbury made one change from there win over Thamesmead Town, with Joe Nightingill replacing Tom Webb and Conor Mead also returning to the squad following injury. Following extensive work on the pitch due to the recent rain, the game took place at the 4th attempt.
Inside 3 minutes James Marrable saved well from a free kick. Tilbury did take the lead on 6 when captain Gary Henty cut inside and shot into the bottom corner after good build up play from Tom Wraight. With Tilbury dominating, they thought they were 2-0 up in the 14th minute when Henty again had the ball in the net, but was ruled out for an alleged handball. On 18 James Evans of Needham headed just wide from a cross.
Tilbury continued to push and Read, Aiken and Henty all had chances to increase the lead. Just before the break Needham equalised when Lee McGlone was brought down in the box by Joe Nightingill and Sam Newson scored from the spot. In an even opening to the 2nd half, saw Substitute Jack West cross for Henty who shot just over. On the hour Danny Smith blazed over from 25 yards. Liam Jones in the Needham goal had to be at his best on 68 when he saved well from Aiken. On 72 Needham were in front when substitute Duane Wright who had just come on headed home from a cross from Sam Newson from the right, at the near post.
Shortly after Newson cut through the heart of the home defence, James Marrable saved at his feet and Wright hit the rebound over the top with the goal gaping. With 5 minutes remaining centre half Sam west cleared off the line from an effort from a corner.
With several delays due to injuries to both sides, there was always going to be plenty of added time and there were further hold-ups during that period. The second half eventually lasted more than 108 minutes and in the 103rd of them Tilbury dramatically drew level when Eljay Worrell scrambled the ball over the line amid a goalmouth melee.
Within 3 minutes of extra time Newson hit over the top before Tilbury were in front again when Jack West burst through a tired defence to score. With a minute to go in the first period of extra time Newson scored again when he hammered in the equaliser. In an even end to end last period, it took until the final minute for the all important goal when Newson again hit home from close range to complete his hat-trick and putting the Marketmen 4-3 up.
Again there was plenty of added time and during the last minute of the game, it ended in controversy, as Tilbury were denied a very clear penalty when Joe Nightingill was bundled over in the box and to the surprise to all 243 in the ground, the referee waived away the most blatant penalty you could wish to see. The visitors Lee McGlone will also be pleased that his push on the referee in extra time was deemed nothing more than that
The whistle soon went and all can be proud of the part they played in this dramatic Ryman North play-off game.
Tilbury have been the season’s surprise package in Ryman North and being around the play-off places all season and finishing third when only a few had expected such success.
After the game, a disappointed Tilbury manager Paul Vaughan commented – “Congratulations to Needham Market. A great performance from my team and they never gave up. To finish 3rd in the league and make the play offs, was a great achievement for the team. I would like to give big thanks to my back room staff and to our great supporters, who as usual gave us the 12th man. I hope to keep this squad together for next season and go one better”
Team – Marrable, Smith, Worrell, Nightingill, S West, Henty, Aiken, Good (Barnes 69), Read (J West 26), King (Webb 75), Wraight,
Subs not used: Mead and Matthews
