Tilbury Stumble

Tilbury's involvement in this seasons Velocity Cup, finished with a comprehensive defeat to Canvey Island on Tuesday night. Tilbury went in to the game needing a win to progress, but suffered by conceding three first half goals. 

Tilbury saw a debut to Adam Topley, following his move from East Thurrock United. 

Canvey Island took the lead on 5 minutes, when a good run but former Docker Ryan Melaugh down the left, seeing his cross in to the box and turned in to his own net by Joe Burgess. Kane Gilbert was close on 17 minutes when he unleashed an effort, that keeper Christian North saved well, parrying away. Just 2 minutes later, it was Tilbury's chance to score, when captain John Easterford saw his header went across goal and cleared off the line by Albert Levett. On 24 Jason Hallett hit a volley just wide, before Ola Ogunwamide went close for the Dockers with a low effort well saved. Canvey doubled their lead on 40 when Gilbert found Sam Dulieu down the right wing. Dulieu took the ball down well before smashing an excellent shot across goal and in from a tight angle to get his name on the score-sheet. There was still time for another, as Canvey went 3-0 up just before the break. Canvey were awarded a free kick just in the Tilbury half and James White lofted the ball into the box which Christian North stood and watched sail over him in to the roof of the net. Tilbury reduced the arrears on 53 minutes when Canvey gave the ball away in their own half. Ola Ogunwamide got his head down and drove towards goal, sitting James White down before drilling a shot into the bottom corner.

Tilbury had to act quickly after the break and were rewarded on 55 when Ola Ogunwamide got the better of Alex Stephenson and ran through to score. On 65 Tobi Joseph got the better of Purdy and hit wide, before Tilbury had two good chances, both falling to Ogunamide and on both occasions Lamar Johnson was able to produce a good saves. John Easterford then saw another header from a corner, cleared off the line. With 8 minutes to go, Canvey confirmed the win when substitute Tobi Joseph attacked down the right, and fired towards goal, with a slight deflection off Easterford that flew in to the net. Late on Oli Spooner had a chance, unfortunately saw a bobble and scuffed his effort wide.

Tilbury return to league action on Saturday, when they make the long drive to Dereham Town.        

Team: North, Boswell, Burgess, Kendall (Spooner 56), Easterford, Purdy, Ogunwamide, Carter, Moses, Agyakwa (Barton 87) and Topley 

Subs Not Used: Songolo and Knight