Wroxham 2 v 3 Tilbury 3 – Attendance 137
TILBURY went to the top of Ryman North with a 3-2 victory in Norfolk in an entertaining game. Tilbury made three changes from a 2-1 midweek victory over Witham Town with King, Waters and Barnett starting in place of Barnes, Pooley and Llewellyn. The big news before kick off was the inclusion on the bench of former England, Chelsea, Blackburn and Norwich City striker Chris Sutton for Wroxham with his goalkeeping son Oliver also on the bench.
In a bright opening Thompson for the hosts went close before a early ball from Danny Francis who found Emiel Aiken who blazed wide. On 20 Tilbury’s new starter Joel Barnett hit wide after a good through ball by Danny Smith. Tilbury took the lead on 23 when an Aaron Waters free kick from the right, was flicked home on the line by Joel Barnett for his second goal of the week. Up to the break both sides contained there opponents and Mark Parker in goal for the Dockers on his debut was in fine form.
On 48 was the talking point of the game, when a cross found Aaron Matthews who went through on the keeper Michael Hilton causing a big gash to his face. Centre Half Martin McNeil was not best pleased and pushed Matthews to the floor. With the crowd awaiting the referee to decide there fate, he decided to caution both players. The replacement was 16 year old Oliver Sutton, son of former international Chris Sutton.
Blake went close on 55 hitting wide from 12 yards. The next attack almost lead to a goal when Sutton dropped the ball and Francis effort was cleared off the line. Just after the hour Wroxham introduced 39 year old Chris Sutton who was involved a minute layer when Wroxham hit the underside of the bar. The game was fast a furious and Tilbury were awarded a free kick on 70 which Aaron Waters floated into the box, hitting the bar before leaving leading goal scorer Danny Francis the easy task of tapping home into an empty net.
Two minutes later Wroxham got a goal back when a ball was sent into the box and the ball fell to the feet of Ben Thompson to score. On 73 it was 2-2 when Thompson scored his second after a free kick was cleared. Wroxham looked the stronger side and Blake again went close before Francis had an effort of his own. On 86 and nerves in the home penalty area, a floating corner from Aaron Waters went over the keepers head and into the goal for his first goal in 7 years. In the final minute Sutton had to be at his best to again save from Waters free-kick.
After the game Manager Paul Vaughan said “A great result, but disappointed to concede 2 goals to set pieces. We deserved to win over the 90 minutes and its nice to be top of the league”
Tilbury are next back in action on Tuesday when they welcome Redbridge 7.45pm,
TEAM: Parker, D Smith, Waters King, Nightingill (Pooley 65), Henty, Barnett (Llewellyn 63), Carlile, Aiken, Francis, Matthews (Barnes 76)
Subs not used: Mead and Hooper
