Maldon & Tiptree 3, Tilbury 1

NON LEAGUE FOOTBALL: TILBURY returned from play-off contenders Maldon & Tiptree pointless. Paul Vaughan’s Dockers were disappointed after a strong early showing. Tilbury made changes again to their line-up with Conor Mead, Joe Nightingill, Ryan Blackman and Luke I’Anson returning to action. But the Dockers were hampered due to an injury to Donovan Simmonds. Tilbury were out the blocks immediately with Nathan Ashton firing a free kick towards goal.

In the fourth minute Tilbury took the lead when Ashton crossed for Ryan Blackman to head home against the underside of the bar and into the net. With Tilbury continuing to impress, Sam Cutler had a long range effort saved well. It was not until the 23rd minute that the home side had their first effort on goal. Bradley Hunter’s header was well saved by Chico Ramos. But Maldon gradually came into the game and Ramos was kept busy. The equaliser came in the 31st minute when a corner from the right was headed home by Hunter, despite the best efforts of the Dockers’ guardian. Maldon finished the half strongly. Maldon took the lead just 25 seconds after the break. A ball was hit forward for Hunter to run onto and score.

Tilbury seemed to lacked bite and only saw Cuter fire over from 30 yards and Francis shooting low to the keepers left in a lacklustre second half. Tilbury were further hampered when substitute Jesus Mendez, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, was dismissed by the referee for retaliation after being flagged for offside. Maldon remained in control. The control was rewarded deep in injury time when they broke and found Adam Condon who rounded Ramos to tap teh ball home. After the game bosss Paul Vaughan said: “I was pleased with the first 25 minutes where we played some excellent football.

But we failed to show this form in the second period that disappoints me.” The result sees Tilbury move down one place to 13th. Team: Ramos, Mead, Daniel (Waters 46), Nightingill, Crooks, Christou, Blackman (Francis 60), I'Anson, Weemes (Mendez 70), Cutler and Ashton Subs unused Zanelli and Simmonds .