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Arlesey 2, Tilbury 4

TILBURY pulled off the great escape to reward manager John Lawrence's faith in his squad, but they did it the hard way in rural Bedfordshire today.

Having blitzed their way to a two goal lead and seeming Ryman Division One North safety at a canter, Dockers contrived to allow their hosts to draw level and as news filtered through that relegation rivals Wivenhoe and Ilford were both winning, things looked decidedly edgy.

However, Lawrence picked his men up from the floor at half time and they dominated the second half, grabbing the goals they needed and winning the match in some comfort at the end.

Even then there was late drama. With Dockers level on points with Ilford because they have decided not to appeal the one point deduction for playing a banned player against Wivenhoe, safety looked secured on goal difference from Ilford. Ilford needed to win by three more goals than Dockers and having kicked off half an hour after their relegation rivals because of the referee's late arrival, Ilford began banging them in against Witham.

Eventually though, and after a few nail-biting minutes, word filtered through they had only won 5-2, two strikes short of what was needed. Tilbury finished with a goal difference of -47, Ilford -48 so by the narrowest of margins the Dockers avoided the drop to the Essex Senior League.

Dockers boss Lawrence, who has suffered sleepless nights as he guided his charges through the traumatic season, got a soaking from his celebrating players afterwards and could only say that he was delighted, but drained. The amiable boss has had it tough with a very low budget and a team that has acquired a bad boy reputation, even if a little unfairly.

He has also found gold in striker Kurt Smith who added to his impressive season tally this afternoon and stuck by some players who repeatedly found themselves under fire from some supporters - and not least this reporter.

In the end the manager was proved right and he and his coaching team deserve immense credit for moulding team spirit in the face of adversity. He also showed a forgiving streak by involving the discredited Martyn Guest a place on the bench for the final match, despite omitting the highly-strung player from previous squads after his off-field antics in the defeat at Bury some weeks ago.

Dockers made a flying start to this afternoon's encounter, forcing Arlesey player of the season - keeper Luke Howard - into action as early as the third minute when he smothered Tom Poole's shot.

However, the keeper was helpless six minutes later when Dockers took the lead when Jamie Gray's free kick was headed goal wards by Brad Smart, taking a deflection en-route to the back of the net from Arlesey's James Dillnutt. It was the start of an afternoon to forget for the home side's defender.

Spurred on by the goal, Tilbury pressed forward and they extended their lead on 15 minutes when Kurt Smith forced his way through the home backline, only to be brought down by Howard. The keeper just picked a yellow rather than a red as Smith was heading away from goal and he stood his ground to save Paul King's driven straight shot from the ensuring penalty, though the ball rebounded to the Tilbury skipper who smashed it home at the second attempt.

That ought to have been the key for Tilbury to charge away with the game and indeed Poole went close with a 19th minute strike to putting his team out of sight.

But Tilbury wobbled on 29 minutes when Leon Gutzmore got on the end of Stuart Beever's cross to head his side back into the game. Two minutes later it was only a good save by Wray that kept Gutzmore at bay.

Tilbury were still creating chances and Nathan Philip, who was having an influential game in midfield, set Kurt Smith free but the striker shot straight at the keeper and it was an opportunity rued when Arlesey drew level on 39 minutes, Obi Nene spinning past Smart and prodding his shot past the onrushing Wray.

It was a comeback that might have floored some sides but Tilbury came out fired up for the second half and in the opening stages pegged back their hosts but Howard was in fine form, particularly when he made a spectacular double save, diving to keep out Poole's fiercely struck 52 minute free kick - one of a succession Tilbury won around the box - and then got down to keep out Kurt Smith's follow up.

For a while Tilbury appeared to lose their way and for the first time in the match Arlesey enjoyed a period of superiority, with one or two anxious moments in the Dockers defence where nerves appeared to be taking hold of Wray and his backline with some jittery defending.

But the breakthrough came on 62 minutes when King delivered a telling cross into the box, picking out Kurt Smith who had lost his marker. The striker took the ball on his chest and guided it goalwards before knocking it past Howard into the corner of the net.

Minutes later Smith then produced a moment of sublime skill, picking up the ball inside his own half and embarking on a mazy run that left four Arlesey players in his wake as he tore into their half.

His momentum was only ended by a horrific tackle from Dillnutt who saw an immediate red card for the violence of his lunge, which was compounded by his foul stopping a clear goalscoring opportunity. Indeed he deserved two reds for the recklessness of his foul!

With a man advantage Tilbury looked in control, with Danny O'Connor and Ajibola Olatunbosun introduced to add some impetus.

Olatunbosun came on for the closing stages to replace Poole, who had just struck the 79th minute deciding blow when he lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper for Tilbury's fourth goal (the first time they have scored four in a game all season) after a glancing attempted defensive header from Ryan Oliver had directed Keith Wilson's ball forward into his path.

Dockers played out the closing moment with some ease and then had to wait those few anxious minutes, listening into to the action at Cricklefield where Ilford were mounting their late, but ultimately futile late rally.

Tilbury: Richard Wray, Jay Taylor, Keith Wilson, Bradley Smart, Paul King, Nathan Philip, Danny Smith, Jamie Gray (Danny OConnor), Kurt Smith, Tom Poole (Ajibola Olatunbosun), Chris Brown. Subs not used: Luke Stanley, Tony Vincent, Martyn Guest.

Ryman Division One North: Final table

9:28pm Saturday 26th April 2008

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