Tilbury 1-1 AFC Sudbury

From Chadfields

Ryman One North

 

IN-FORM Tilbury claimed a valiant point against third-placed AFC Sudbury to maintain their superb recent run.

The Dockers have lost only one of the last eight matches and couldn’t have been a more different match to the 4-0 thrashing Gary Henty’s side suffered earlier in the season.

And it was Tilbury that started the brighter of the two teams, with Emiel Aiken denied by Marcus Garnham from a swift breakaway.

Ryan Flack headed wide for the hosts, with Tom Wood chipping over the crossbar from a decent position.

Terry Rymer had the visitors’ first real chance of the afternoon on the half-hour mark, with Jack Giddens called into action to preserve his clean sheet.

However, one minute later the away side had taken the lead. A mix-up in the home defence was capitalised upon by Rymer, who broke through and struck home.

Tilbury were rattled and another defensive lapse in concentration almost let the goal scorer in again.

But Tilbury, who came from behind to win at Maldon & Tiptree last win, equalised five minutes before the break.

Aiken was brought down outside the box and Flack’s delivery was headed home by the lively Wood from six yards out.

Rymer was still causing problems after the break, and Dockers were indebted to Joe Nightingill who cleared well off the goal line, with Giddens beaten.

Sudbury saw a penalty shout turned down before Tilbury were awarded a spot-kick of their own.

Aiken was brought down by Garnham but the keeper superbly saved from Jack Carlile’s fierce effort, tipping his shot onto the crossbar.

Francis Babalola came close twice in the closing stages but the points were shared come the end of the game.

I was delighted with the performance against a good strong side and it was a game we could have taken all the points,” said Henty. “The side are in good heart and we look to continue this form in the coming weeks.”

 

Tilbury: Giddens, Webb, Johnson, Nightingill, Smith, Game, Flack (Babalola), Carlile, Richmond (Martin), Wood, Aiken