Local Derby End on Draw

On a hot September afternoon, Tilbury and Aveley shared the points in an end to end encounter. Tilbury unveiled two new signings, striker Lewis Smith and goalkeeper  Mitchell Ware who stood in for Aveley last season.  

The game was preceded by a minutes silence following the passing of 2 Tilbury supporters Jason Williams and Chalky White.
It was quiet opening from both sides. Tilbury had there first effort on goal in the 18th minute when George Sykes hit wide. A minute later former Docker Alex Reid intercepted a back pass and rounded Ware, only to find the side netting. 
On 23 Ware saved well, only for James Love to follow up and hit just wide. 
On the half hour mark Alex Akrofi seem to be fouled, but was shown a yellow card for retaliation, a moment that came back to bite him later in the game. 

Brian Moses then went close, but was denied by David Hughes. With the game in added time, Lewis Smith latched on to a loose ball after some sloppy defending and struck home past Hughes to put the Dockers 1 up. 

Aveley came out strong after the break with Wyan Reid dribbling towards the goal. On 63 Aveley equalised when Alex Akrofi became the provider as his cross was eventually turned into the net by George Allen after Harry Gibbs effort is charged down by Ware. 
Wyan Reid hit a low cross on 72nd but deflected off a Tilbury defender and into the arms of Mitchell Ware.
Into injury time and Jack Mochalski swings in a cross from the right that almost creeps in, but instead comes back off the bar and is cleared to safety

In the 7th minute of added time, Akrofi was shown a second yellow for an innocuous looking challenge on the right hand edge of the area. Whilst this was going on Lewis Smith was laying on the floor in his own half and it looked like a nasty injury to his arm. Play was stopped while he was strapped up and left for hospital with a double break to the arm suspected. In the 11th minute of added time, there was still time for a Tilbury free kick that was gathered by Hughes. 

Tilbury are back in action in Wednesday when they make the short trip to Aveley, to play Grays Athletic.    

Team: Ware, Boswell, Worrell, Kendall (Carter 58), Easterford, Phillips, Ogunwamide (Agyakwa 66), Barton (Spooner 78), Moses, Smith and Sykes

Subs: Salami and Burgess