Hullbridge Sports 0, Tilbury 3

SUPPORTERS of a reshaped Tilbury side under the returning management of Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace will feel that justice was done after the Dockers recorded an emphatic and vital win against Isthian North relegation rivals Hullbridge this evening (Tuesday, 14 March).

On St Valentine's Day night Tilbury were leading by two early goals from James Ewington and Archie Edwards when fog descended and the match was abandoned.

Just seven of those in action a month ago remained in the squad this evening as changes continue apace in the Dockers ranks.

One of those seven was Edwards, who may be regarding Sports' Lower Road ground as one of his least favourite venues as he was injured just three minutes into tonight's fixture.

However, Tilbury didn't let that setback upset them and on eight minutes took the lead when recently re-signed Adam Vyse marked his comeback to Dockers' colours with a fine goal, breaching the home defence with a well-timed run and passing the ball past keeper Lewis Greene for the opener.

It was a lead Tilbury took into the break, though only just as Hullbridge went close when Martin Tuohy - himself a Docker just a few weeks ago - struck the crossbar against his former club.

Dockers made another change when Alfie Whiteacker, who had replaced Edwards, was himself switched for Kwanbena Yeboag just five minutes after the restart.

Despite something of a fightback by Sports, who exerted plenty of pressure without reward, Dockers took a firm grip on the match on 76 minutes when Oli Spooner - who had followed Harrison and Wallace from East Thurrock United, was on hand to provide the game's second goal.

And the icing on the cake came five minutes from time when Alex Clark ensured Dockers' first win since January with a fine strike.

The win puts a four point gap between second-from-bottom Sports and the Dockers, who remain in the relegation-threatened zone, five points behind 16th placed Witham but they will be looking to build on the impetus of the win and their new players and management with a home clash against play-off chasing, but recently faltering, Heybridge Swifts at Chadfields on Saturday.