TILBURY faced Spartan South Midland League Stansted on Friday (14 July) at the rainswept EMR stadium for the fourth match in their pre-season schedule.

A season opening 8-0 rout of Essex Olympian League Toby FC was followed by a 1-1 draw with Redbridge and 2-1 defeat by Hemel Hempstead the home side were delighted to get a first win against senior opposition - and a convincing 5-2 one at that.

These two clubs might have been set to clash in the Essex Senior League in the coming campaiogn but the Airportmen were transferred vto the South Midlands League in the close reason reshuffle.

Dockers took the lead with a 16th minute goal goal for Izaih Antonine, set up by Elliot Howson to score his fourth for the Dockers in the pre-season matches.

And Tilbury doubled their lead following a free kick from Harry Hope which made its way to Harry Donovan and he scored into the bottom left-hand corner.

Stansted took no time in claiming a goal back, there were just a couple of touches following the hick-off before their number nine scored from distance in the bottom corner, despite Anthony Page's his best efforts to make the save.

Minutes were left of the first half when Tilbury thought they had scored again but Antoine's effort was disallowed for offside.

The game took a dramatic turn two minutes into the second half when the Stansted number five was given a red card for a dangerous tackle on Antoine.

Then, in the 65th minute substitute Jordon Peart received the ball on the edge of the area, opened his body and placed the ball in the back of the net.

Dockers wereahead but they were still pressing and in the 74th minute Johnny Ashman battled and stole possession and passed the ball into the box and the ball found Tom Salter. He directed the ball goal wards; however, the keeper saved the ball with his face.

Ashman then shot towards the goal but it was saved by the keeper, however the ball was sent towards Salter whose effoert hit the woodwork. Salter them made a impressive defence splitting pass to Ashman to net the fourth goal for Tilbury.

Stansted however managed to find a goal with their number 15 who powered the ball pass North.

The game was sealed with the last kick of the game when Slater finally got on the scoresheet with an angled strike across goal.

Tilbury were due to meet Concord Rangers on Tuesday (18 July) but that is now off meaning their next match will be the derby with Grays Athletic on Saturday (22 July) at the EMR.