Tilbury 1 Grays Athletic 1

(Grays win 4-1 on Penalties)

match report by Anthony Mercer

 

An entertaining evening saw Grays progress in the Robert Dyas league cup at the 3rd attempt in a penalty shoot-out.

Both sides made changes from their recent games in a local derby played in front of 100 people.

Tilbury started well with Lee Weemes and Rimmel Daniel denied inside the first three minutes. On 9 former Dockers Jack West had a good effort before Dan Fry hit his shot across the face of the goal. Ben Crooks for the Dockers on 12 and West for Grays on 13 both had good efforts at goal from corner. Grays had the first good chance of the evening when Hammond was found in space, missed a great chance with the goal gapping as he fired wide of an empty goal. Before the break some sloppy defending in the Tilbury penalty area saw Jack west have his effort well saved by Chico Ramos.

After the break, Grays dominated for periods and Ramos again had to be at his best when he saved well. From the next attack, both Simmonds and Francis had efforts at goal as Tilbury had short period of good attacking football. On the hour a good move resulted in Babalola firing wide of the goal. Grays took the lead on 71 when a Carlos cross found debutant Nouble who controlled before striking home. It took Tilbury just 5 minutes to get level again when Lee Weemes strolled into the box before being brought down and he picked himself up to slot home. Both sides had half chances in the remaining 15 minutes with Donovan Simmonds having the best one deep in to injury time when Lemar Johnson kept Grays in the tie saving low to his right.

The referee blew his whistle before the game went to penalties which saw both Francis and Zanelli missing from the spot leaving Carlos to score Grays fourth to win 4-1 and made progress into the next round where they play Romford.

After the game Tilbury manager Paul Vaughan said "We kept out good home record going, but it is always disappointing to lose on penalties"

On Saturday, Tilbury travel to Maldon and Tiptree in the league.

Team: Ramos, Zanelli, Ashton, Crooks, West (Francis 53), Christou, Daniel, Weemes, Simmonds, Cutler and Babalola (Mendez 72)