MATCH REPORT AWAY V THURROCK VIA ANTHONY MERCER.

Matt Abbott ‏@GazetteMatt
Great end to the season for @TilburyFC though, who celebrate derby win with fans who didn't stop singing. pic.twitter.com/XZciuU16LD

 

Great away day yesterday, I have not been to every game this season but yesterday showed a glimmer of hope with the current management team at the club.
They produced the best performance I have seen this season, we played to a system that suited the players we have at the club. Thurrock are a very good side and maybe a bit unlucky not to get something out of the game, James kept goal well and we defended excellent. Piers goal was a cracker and young Danny took his chance well. It looks 100% that Paul and his management team will be leading the "DOCKERS" into next season, so like it or not this should not stop us supporting the team, our away support yesterday was great and maybe this inspired the boys on. So we move onto next season, hopefully keeping our decent players, and bringing in maybe 3 or 4 players and having settled side, and hope that Paul and his team improve on this season. Who knows if we get a good start and keep a settled side and we can keep players at the club, the turn over of players at the club this season has been one of the main problems and Paul must address this problem has priority, then maybe a better season will follow. "KEEP THE FAITH"   

Thurrock 1 Tilbury 2 (Attendance 126)

Tilbury stunned local rivals Thurrock and deny them a play-off semi-final with a well-deserved 2-1 win at Ship Lane. Tilbury were dealt a blow just before kick off when striker Jack West pulled up with an injury and was replaced by Emmanuel Folarin.

In a disappointing first period from both sides, Joe Christou tested home keeper Walker in a good opening spell from the Dockers.

Prolific scorer David Knight was denied by a good James Marrable save on 19 and the same players again on half time with Marrable smothering well.

The second half was an entertaining affair with Tilbury holding possession for long periods. On 49 Ryan Blackman played the ball to Piers Wixon who out of nothing hit a 25-yard rasping effort from the right hand corner of the box past Walker. The goal was reminiscent of his strike at Heybridge Swifts earlier in the season. .

Thurrock continued to press and Knight was again denied by Marrable on 54 with a fine save. On the hour Knight struck the post and with news of Needham Market winning, the game became frantic with Thurrock attacking in numbers. Ibe saw his effort go wide with 20 minutes to go. Knight on 78 had a great chance with only Marrable to beat, but his low shot was saved.

With Needham going 6-1 up, Tilbury inflicted further misery when Cook broke and played the ball across to substitute Danny Aldwinckle, who turned inside the Thurrock box and sent a low shot under Walker’s body putting Tilbury 2-0 up.

With 5 minutes to go Thurrock pulled a goal back from former Tilbury centre half Rob Gilman when he headed home in a congested goalmouth. This saw the game have a frantic finish as the referee added 5 minutes of added time. Tilbury kept possession and should have wrapped the game up with seconds to go when Tilbury went 3 on 1 with Harry Cook unselfishly passing to Emmanuel Folarin who somehow sent the ball wide of an empty net. The full time whistle went immediately to see Tilbury pick up 7 points out of their last 9.

Manager Paul Vaughan gave credit to his side at the final whistle.

The result leaves the Dockers in a 16th place finish.

Tilbury: Marrable; Glasgow (Johnson, 59), Waters (Pooley, 67), Nightingill (Aldwinckle, 71), S. West; Christou, Wood, Blackman, Folarin, Cook, Wixon

Subs Unused: J. West and Babalola