TILBURY’S Isthmian North campaign came to an end at Chadfields on Saturday (25 April) with a hard fought draw.
Both sides were happy to see the back of what ultimately was a season of disappointment. Tilbury opened it in ambitious mode under the management of Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace but their tenure ended in October after a poor string of results saw Dockers at the wrong end of the table.
George Christou & Jack Toghli came in and steadied the ship, ultimately just missing out on a top ten finish on goal difference. Witham contested around the play-off zone for much of the season, but results fell away and they ended up ninth.
Both sides will look to achieve more in the next campaign.
Dockers might have edged into the top ten but for a missed penalty. It was awarded after 25 minutes when Dan Trendall got in front of a defender before being brought down in the area. Kieran Jones stepped up, but former Tilbury shot-stopper Harry Fairs guessed the right way and made the save.
Witham went on to take the lead on the stroke of halftime as a pass cut through the centre of the pitch towards another familiar face, Sam Bantick. The forward let the ball run past him and Jordan Elongo continued his run on the right, latching onto the pass before slotting past the keeper for the opener.
The hosts found the equaliser after the break courtesy of Tyler Forbes, who met Kieran Jones’ corner at the back post, firing home his 13th goal of the season.
Town came close to finding the winner when Luke Ige’s corner flashed across the face of goal, getting a touch from Elongo on its way. However, the winger couldn’t get a clean enough connection and the ball rolled out of play for a goal kick.
With five minutes to go, the visitors were reduced to 10 men, as Liam Whipps dragged Malaki Toussaint to the floor, earning himself a second yellow card.
Tilbury: Lawlor, Elliott, Taylor (Ward), Hayes ©, Reeve, Toussaint, Winn, Jones (Fry), Nandi (Odukoya), Forbes T, Trendall. SUBS UNUSED: Northwood, Forbes J.
