Richmond Heads Home Hat-trick

Tilbury started 2016 the way they finished the old year with a comprehensive victory over out of form Great Wakering side and Neil Richmond picked up a hat-trick in the process. Tilbury are now unbeaten in 17 league games since September and have suffered just one defeat in 22 matches

Tilbury made 3 chances from last weeks draw at Maldon and Tiptree and in heavy conditions Tilbury adjusted well and took the lead inside 6 minutes when Emiel Aiken played in Neil Richmond to nod home. Wakering's Jay Nash saw his effort well saved by Clarke Bogard seconds later, before Tilbury continued to press and went further in front on 17 when Kurt Smith crossed for Emiel Aiken to touch home. Wakering keeper Adam Seal kept his side in the game with some fine saves. Before the break both sides had chances, Tilbury's Joe Nightingill hit just wide from a Tony Martin ball, before Aiken saw his effort well saved. Wakering did have a good spell before the end of the half, but Ross Elsom was on hand to clear off the line from a corner. Tilbury came out after the break strong and despite the poor conditions it was Tilbury who took the game to their opponents. Around the hour mark, Babalola, Richmond and Conor Mead all had efforts well saved by Adam Seal. It was Tilbury who found the net again just passed the hour. Kurt Smith crossed from the left and found Richmond again to head bullet like home past the stranded Seal.
As the game went on Tilbury had chance after chance to seal the game, Richmond had efforts to achieve his hat-trick and Babalola seeing his effort cleared off the line by Lewis Sparrow. In the final minute Neil Richmond got his well deserved hat-trick when Ross Elsom crossed to Richmond who again headed home for a headed hat-trick.
In the final minute both Elsom and Martin had efforts to make it 5-0.

The result moves Tilbury in to 5th place.

After the game Manager Gary Henty commented “Delighted with the performance, we scored some good goals and we could of scored more. The squad was a little stretched, but the lads who came in did really well"

The Dockers are due back in action on Tuesday night when they welcome Braintree Town in the Essex Senior Cup 4th round with a 7.45pm kick off, before travelling to Phoenix Sports next Saturday.

Team: Bogard, Mead, K Smith (Webb 75), D Smith (Jaggs 81), Nightingill, Elsom, Babalola, Carlile, Richmond, Martin, Aiken (Adedamibio 86).

Unused Subs: Austin and Hanlon