Barking FC 0, Tilbury 2

TWO goals in the closing quarter of the match saw Tilbury claim a first win of the competitive season at the fourth time of asking as they took all three Essex Senior League points at Barking.

It was a well-deserved victory for Tilbury who dominated most the the match – and their superiority finally paid dividends in the rain-soaked second half with goals from Tom Salter and Johnny Ashman, both who number Barking among their previous clubs.

The hosts actually created the first significant chance of the match when Kai Haysman's shot was saved by keeper Anthony Page.

Dockers thought they had broken the deadlock on 17 minutes but celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Stalemate ensued at the break and, momentarily at least, on the resumption, Barking looked an improved side.

But Tilbury weathered the renaissance and began to intensify their efforts, constantly pressing forward and on 57 only a last-gasp clearance from Aundre Spencer at the expense of a corner saved Barking.

Tilbury should have broken the deadlock just after the hour when when Ashman squandered a golden chance, firing over from a promising position. Moments later, Salter went close with a shot from distance but the first goal eventually came from him on 70 minutes when he curled the ball home from the edge of the box.

Six minutes later  Ashman produced a clinical finish from Brian Moses' pass and the issue was settled.