A brace from Jack West Shares the Points

By Anthony Mercer

Romford 2 Tilbury 2 Att 167

A brace from Jack West saw Tilbury come back from a 2-0 deficit to share the points on a warm afternoon at Ship Lane. Tilbury were dealt a blow right on kick off when defender Joe Nightingill was taken ill and had to be replaced by Joe Christou. There was also a start for Elliott Johnson who was outstanding in defence.
Romford started strongly and Jamie Dicks saw his effort saved by Ramos inside the first minute. Romford took the lead after just 4 minutes when Seymour swung in a corner that Ramos parried before Paul Clayton smashed the ball home. Tilbury had one effort on 12 when Babalola went close from a Cutler free kick. It became 2-0 on 19 minutes when an other corner from the left by Seymour again saw Clayton and this time he powerfully headed home. Tilbury were finding it hard to break down the home side and before the break Babalola headed just wide. Romford were still in control and Jack Barry was found unmarked on 44 only to see his effort just wide of the post.
The second half started the same as the first with Romford dominating. It took a double substitution on 65 by Paul Vaughan to see the tide turn on the game. Both Ryan Flack and Emiel Aiken were introduced and it was then Tilbury who started to create pressure. Both Ryan Flack and new signing Nimes Martins Lopes Da Pina causing problems.
Tilbury did pull a goal back on 78 when Jake Pooley crossed into the box and the defender miss kicked and Jack West was on hand to slot home. It then became one way traffic as Ryan Flack curled his effort towards goal only to see Omand tip over. From the resulting corner Pooley saw his low shot saved. Tilbury were on level terms on 75 when another defensive mistake saw Lopes Da Pina play the ball to Jack West who hit home at the second attempt after a good block from Omand. With 9 minutes remaining Chico Ramos made a fine save from substitute Reece Tranter before Omand in the home goal made a equally good save from Lopes Da Pina whose header was brilliantly kept out after a Tom Wood cross.
In the final minutes Aiken sent a ball into the box and Babalola fired over.

After the game manager Paul Vaughan commented. "I was very disappointed with our first half performance, but after a good talk at the break, we came out and took the game to Romford. I have to be satisfied with a point" I hope Joe Nightingill recovers well and we have him back our ranks as soon as possible.
On Tuesday night Tilbury travel in to Kent to play Chatham Town.

Team
Ramos, Pooley, Johnson, Christou (Flack 65), S West, Wood, Aldwinckle (Aiken 65), Carlile, J West, Cutler(Lopes De Pina 22), Babalola

Subs not used: Nightingill and Vaughan