Tilbury 1 Grays Athletic 4 (Attendance 101)
Tilbury welcomed local rivals Grays Athletic for their first home preseason game of the season, but a well-deserved hat rick from Freddie Lapado was the difference between the sides in the annual Stan Veness Trophy at Chadfields.
Both sides started with their strongest available squad and it was the Dockers who started well. On 12 minutes Sam Cutler’s long range effort went just over the top, before Cutler played in Ben Hunt on 16 to slot home for a fine well taken goal and his 4th of the campaign. The visitors were back on level terms on 19 when a free kick found the head of Jay Leader to score. Grays started to dominate and 4 minutes later a poor back pass found Freddie Lapado who rounded Dean Driscoll to score in to an empty net.
Both sides made changes at the break and the Dockers had good chances just after the hour when Emiel Aiken hit over, before a rasping effort from Ryan Flack saw an outstanding save. Grays made it 3-1 on 70 minutes when another Grays set piece saw Lapado beat Driscoll to head home. With Grays in charge late in the game, it was not surprise that they made the game safe in the final minute when a long ball up field found Lapado to meet a cross to score a well-deserved hat trick to the delight of the visiting supporters.
The result sees Grays Athletic retain the Stan Veness Trophy.

After the game manager Paul Vaughan commented “I was pleased at times in the game. Grays are going to be a force this season. I have some concerns in a couple of areas and will be actively looking to resolve this. We go again on Saturday at Ilford and will bring additions in after some talks with players”

Team: Driscoll, Christou, Waters, Nightingill, S West, Henty, Cook, Carlile, J West, Cutler and Hunt

Subs: Aiken, Aldwinckle, Pooley, Wood and Flack. (All used)