Dockers held at home by Gulls as Sidibe makes return
By Mason Hutchinson 23rd Sep 2026
Tilbury 1, Canvey Island 1
JOE Elliott's third successful penalty conversion in successive matches earned Dockers a comeback point against neighbours Canvey in Tuesday (22 September) evening's Isthmian clash at Chadfields.
Elliott stepped up with two goals in Saturday's home win against Little Oakley and retained penalty duties against the Gulls in a match Dockers started with two changes from the weekend, as Ben Allen and Issa Sidibe both started in place of the absent Alfie Fry and Charlie Stimson.
It was a second debut for Sidibe, who re-signed for the club just before the match. He first signed for Dockers last season but missed much of the campaign through injury.
The striker is the all-time leading goalscorer at Hackney Wick, where he scored 45 goals- helping the club to a promotion and cup double in the 24-25 season. Last season he scored 16 goals in nineteen matches before moving to the Dockers in December, but he managed only two appearances, scoring once- the winner against tenants Grays Athletic.
The game didn't start well for the hosts as struggling Canvey, now under the leadership of former Manchester City and Ipswich star Kevin Horlock, took an early lead after just seven minutes when Mitchell May pounced on a mistake at the back. The striker snatched the ball from under the nose of Dockers keeper Billy Lawlor before firing into the empty net.
The visitors' advantage would not last long, though, as Tilbury were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute when Rasheed Salau knocked the ball past David Hughes, forcing the much-travelled keeper, who briefly plied his trade with Tilbury on loan, to bring him down.
After Saturday's brace, there was only one man for the job, and he did not disappoint, as Elliott fired his spot-kick into the net.
After the break, Dockers had the opportunity to go ahead through a chance crafted by Salau. The striker spun his man brilliantly and drove towards the left-hand side of the area. His driven cross found Ben Allen, but the midfielder was unable to get a shot away.
Lawlor was called to action in the 50th minute, as his spectacular fingertip save denied Charlie Panton's strike from the edge of the area.
That was all the significant action at Chadfields as the game petered out and both teams had to settle for a draw in front of a crowd of 240.
Tilbury: Lawlor, Nzengo, Taylor, Brocklebank, Elliott, Reeve ©, Toussaint, Sidibe (Nandi), Salau, Rea, Allen. SUBS UNUSED: Wheatley, Bennett, Townsend, Winn.
Dockers are back in Isthmian North action on Saturday (26 September) when they travel to face AFC Sudbury.
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