Tilbury 2, Heybridge Swifts 0

DURING the week, a youthful Tilbury side, including eight of the U18'S EJA side, bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup following a five-star showing from Billericay Town.

Resting senior players proved a good option as Dockers picked up a valuable three Isthmian North points on Saturday (13 December). 

Tilbury fielded much more familiar side with Luke Reeve, Joe Elliott and Mo Amir featuring in the starting lineup. Sam Carter also returned to the squad amongst the substitutes.

Swifts crafted the first opportunity of the match after 25 minutes, when Joe Babbage's delivery found the head of Milo Grimes. The midfielder pushed past two defenders to win the header, but his attempt rattled the crossbar.

Seconds later, Swifts put the ball in the net as Ramiah Mills skipped past a challenge on the left-hand side, before finding Andrew Fennell, who came sliding in at the back post. However, the linesman swiftly raised his flag, and the goal was disallowed.

Dockers took the lead after half an hour when Kieran Jones found space in the box for a shot, and his effort was blocked by the arm of a defender prompting referee Ryan Calver to point to the spot.

Kieran Jones took responsibility and made no mistake from 12-yards.

But there was still enough time for some more action involving Mr Calvert in the first half, as Tilbury were reduced to 10-men, with Mo Amir receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.

After the break, Heybridge Swifts looked to make the most of the extra man, and came close to drawing level with a whipped corner towards the near post. The header was won by a Heybridge shirt, but Ronnie Winn did brilliantly to clear the ball off the line.

With 20 minutes remaining, the home side extended their lead, as a mix-up at the back for Heybridge left, goalkeeper Marcus Garnham scrambling. Ezra Agyiri was quickly on the case to take advantage of the mistake and slotted the ball into the empty net to seal the win for Tilbury.

Dockers are back in action on Tuesday (16 December) when they travel to Bowers & Pitsea. 

SQUAD: Henry, Fry, Winn, Reeve, Elliott, Forbes T (Agyiri), Amir, Braney (Carter), Jones, Trendall © (Brocklebank), Ward.

SUBS UNUSED: Forbes J, East.