Wroxham 0, Tilbury 3

A NEW look Tilbury side, with three debutants in the starting line-up and one on the bench, made the most of the long trip to Norfolk where they convincingly took three Isthmian North points on Saturday (14 February).

In the Dockers starting line-up were new keeper Billy Lawlor, signed from Witham Town after the midweek departure of Dion Henry.

Midfielder Malaki Toussaint, signed from Woodford Town (having spent time at Walthamstow and Grays) was also in the starting 11, as was Soumen Nandi who rekindled his relationship with Dockers bosses George Christou and Jack Toghli, who he played under at Redbridge when they won the Essex senior Cup.

Defender Josh Taylor, another signing from Redbridge, was on the bench at Trafford Park.

Tilbury have often found a trip to Wroxham difficult, but they were on top of things right from the off this weekend.

Dockers got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring after just eight minutes. Kieran Jones was the goalscorer, as his corner was delivered towards the front post, taking a touch off a defender as it flew past the keeper.

Wroxham were quick to work the ball down the other end as they searched for the equaliser, and it nearly came inside 15 minutes. 

A low cross from the left-hand side caused a scramble in the area, before Asa McGeachy found space for a shot. However, his effort was somehow saved by Lawlor as the ball was hooked off the line and cleared to safety.

Soon after, Lawlor was called to action once again, when the Yachtsmen broke down the left flank. Travis Dodsworth was the man spearheading the counter attack as he carried the ball into the penalty area before drilling a strike towards the far corner. But there was no way past Lawlor who was down quickly to make a brilliant save.

On the stroke of halftime, Tilbury doubled their lead after Joe Elliott's long throw-in was flicked on by Luke Reeve, and Dan Trendall battled well in the box to poke the ball over the line at the near post.

The second half was not as action-packed as the first, but a professional display from the visitors ensured that they remained in control of the match at all times.

Four minutes into stoppage time, Luke Reeve's ball forward was latched onto by Jones, who delicately lifted the ball over the keeper's head and into the net to seal all three points.

Team: Lawlor, Toussaint (Taylor), Hayes ©, Reeve, Elliott, Ward, Winn, Brocklebank, Jones, Trendall, Nandi (Amir). Unused subs: Wheatley, East, Martin.

Dockers are back in action on Saturday, 21 February when they host Takeley.