Tilbury started the game with 5 debutant's and included another in the final minute as Tilbury looked to go better than 11th place last season. On a bright, warm afternoon in front of a good local derby crowd, Tilbury were out of the blocks early, with Toby Aromolaran causing problems for the visiting side and set up Tom Anderson, whose effort was well blocked.
On 25 minutes Emiel Aiken almost saw the home side take the lead when he fired wide after a good cross. .

Just passed the half hour Aiken crossed for Toby Aromolaran to confidently volley home to see the Dockers take a well deserved lead. Thurrock came into the game after the break and drew level on 55 when a free-kick into the Tilbury box saw Ronnie Winn to fire home, despite Tilbury looking for a free-kick for pushing. Thurrock took control of the game for a good period, passing the ball well. The visitors will feel fortunate they did not concede a penalty on 70 minutes when the ball seemed to hit a Thurrock defender in the box.

The game did get a little fractious for a time, as Harry Cook and Richard Halle were pulled apart in the final third of the game. Tilbury finished the game well, with substitute Tony Martin heading wide, before seeing his free-kick in the 84th minute well saved by Darren Behcet.

Manager Gary Henty commented after the game "I am pleased with the performance of the lads, but a little disappointed with the result"

Tilbury: Butcher, C Mead, J Cook, Peddie, Nightingill, Anderson, Aromolaran, Carlile, Odedoyin (H Cook 72), Richmond (Martin 66) and Aiken (Gilbey 90)

Unused subs: Norton and Singh