No points - but plenty of plaudits for Dockers (From Thurrock Gazette)

No points - but plenty of plaudits for Dockers

9:51pm Tuesday 30th October 2007 in Sport

Tilbury 1, Dartford 2

DOCKERS came out second best in a highly entertaining derby, but only in terms of the scoreline.

This was their best performance of the season and they played full part in a match against highly-rated opposition.

Tilbury made a bright start to the Ryman Division One North clash against their cross Thames neighbours and the first opportunity fell to Luke Stanley whose shot was deflected wide.

Dartford had lots of first half possession but created little, while Tilbury threatened on the break, with John Hefford's 29th minute strike just past keeper Tony Kessell's upright a reminder of their potential.

And potential turned into reality with a superb goal from the resurgent Kurt Smith on 39 minutes.

Danny O'Connor brought the ball out from midfield, fed it to Kurt Smith and though there looked little danger, the Tilbury man went past defender Jamie Coyle and drove a 25 yard strike into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted just five minutes. Brendon Cass worked space for himself at the far post where he was free picked out by Steve Norman's excellent cross and he made no mistake.

In the second half Dockers came out with more purpose, taking the game to their well-supported visitors whose fans made up the vast majority of a season's best Chadfields crowd of 221.

Kurt Smith continued to be a threat up front and when he was hauled back, Hefford drove the subsequent free kick just wide.

However, it was to be Dartford who scored next after successfully defending a Tilbury corner.

They broke away quickly through much-travelled John Guest, who numbers Nottingham Forest, Charlton Athletic, Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Folkestone Invicta among his clubs and he set up Jay May whose shot hit the foot of the post and the prolific Cass was on hand to score.

From then on Dartford appeared to settle for what they had, allowing Dockers to pres them back.

Danny O'Connor shot straight at Kessell when teed up by Kurt Smith and in added time the last clear cut chance of the game saw Smith repeat the service to his teammate but O'Connor's shot hit the crossbar and - unlike Darts - they didn't have anyone to follow up.

Tilbury: Tilbury: Paul Agu, Danny Smith, Luke Stanley (Jordan Tolan), Jay Taylor, Marc Clarey, Nathan Philip, Andre Humphrey (lee Springer), Danny O'Connor, Kurt Smith, John Hefford (Jakovo Odaji), Sam Holloway.

Ryman Division One North, Up to and in Oct 30

		P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
1	Edgware Town	11	8	2	1	20	4	+16	26
2	AFC Sudbury	12	7	2	3	30	9	+21	23
3	Dartford	10	7	1	2	22	10	+12	22
4	Bury Town	11	6	3	2	20	12	+8	21
5	Redbridge	12	5	5	2	18	12	+6	20
6	Enfield Town	12	5	4	3	27	18	+9	19
7	Brentwood Town	8	5	3	0	16	7	+9	18
8	Ware	9	5	2	2	23	13	+10	17
9	Wingate & Finchley	13	4	5	4	17	19	-2	17
10	Arlesey Town	11	4	4	3	17	16	+1	16
11	Canvey Island	10	4	2	4	18	12	+6	14
12	Maldon Town	9	3	5	1	13	11	+2	14
13	Tilbury	10	2	6	2	15	14	+1	12
14	Waltham Forest	11	2	6	3	13	14	-1	12
15	Great Wakering Rovers	12	3	3	6	17	21	-4	12
16	Waltham Abbey	10	3	3	4	13	19	-6	12
17	Northwood	12	3	3	6	18	25	-7	12
18	Aveley	11	3	2	6	9	24	-15	11
19	Witham Town	10	2	3	5	21	27	-6	9
20	Potters Bar Town	11	1	5	5	8	20	-12	8
21	Ilford	12	1	2	9	9	31	-22	5
22	Wivenhoe Town	11	0	1	10	5	31	-26	1