Tilbury 1, Welwyn Garden City 1

 Tilbury win 6-5 on penalties

THERE was late drama at Chadfield on Saturday (7 September) when Dockers - by that time reduced to ten men - went through to the Second Qualifying Road of the FA Trophy against Southern League Central One opposition.

Three changes were made to Tilbury's starting line-up as Connor Martin and Oli Spooner returned to action, and new signing Kieran Jones made his debut.

The first chance went the way of the hosts as a good passing move saw the ball reach Jamie Reynolds. The midfielder tried his luck from distance, but the keeper was there to match the strike.

Tilbury then took the lead after 22 minutes as Spooner did amazingly well to work himself into a shooting position. His effort was well saved by Harold Adu-Poku but Alex Akrofi was on hand to head home from close range.

Dockers came close to doubling their lead through the man on form, Sam Bantick. Bantick danced in and out of three challenges on the edge of the area before unleashing a rocket which was denied by the corner of both the post and the crossbar.

Tilbury with their matchday mascots before the game. Picture by In_Focus_Photos.

The home side managed to put the ball into the net a second time as Jamie Reynolds' cushioned header found Bantick who thought he had extended Tilbury's lead, but the linesman's flag was up straight away.

The Clarets came close to finding the equaliser as a deep corner ricocheted off Connor Martin before being cleared off the line and out of harm's way.

Welwyn Garden City were handed a lifeline with 20 minutes to go as Tilbury were reduced to ten men when Alfie Fry received a second booking for time wasting as he was called over by a teammate to take the free kick.

Jones almost capped off an impressive debut with a goal as he beat the keeper to the ball but was unable to keep it in play as the ball ran out of play for a goal kick.

The visitors then netted their equaliser in stoppage time as they were awarded a penalty for a handball as Macauley Joynes attempted to block a cross.

Bailey Stevenson stepped up and fired hard and low in the corner to send the game to a penalty shootout.

After five penalties each, the score was 4-4. Man of the match winner Christian North saved one for Tilbury and Sam Carter saw his effort saved, so the shootout went to sudden death. Both teams scored their sixth penalty but Zyrielk Otseh-Taiwo sent his spot-kick over the crossbar to give Tilbury the chance to win.

To everybody's surprise North stepped up and cannoned his strike past his opposition counterpart to send his side through to the next round, much to the delight of the majority of a crowd of 252.

Dockers are back in action on Tuesday, 10 September when they travel to Walthamstow in the Isthmnian North.

On Saturday 14 September Dockers welcome National League South side, Chelmsford City, to the EMR Stadium in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.