Two from Dockers wins league cup (From Thurrock Gazette)

Two from Dockers wins league cup

11:55am Friday 17th April 2009

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Harrow Borough 0 Tilbury 2 Isthmian League Cup THIS was Tilbury’s first Isthmian League Cup final since 1976 — and the Dockers were not going to let the occasion slide by quietly.

The travelling Tilbury fans made the journey to Staines FC for the Ryman League Cup Final against Harrow Borough of the Ryman League Premier Division knowing that they had already achieved great things.

Tilbury manager Graham Chester – in his first season with the club — had put together an array of talent that has sparkled throughout the competition this season.

Chester’s lads had defeated Folkestone & Whitstable from the Ryman League Division One South.

And then they went on to humble Ramsgate, Staines and Billericay from the Premier Division.

The final itself kicked off in front of 284 spectators.

Harrow Borough looking accomplished, but Tilbury defenders Daniel Smith, Joe Keith, Rickie Hayles and Junior Baker built a brick wall in defence. And it was to prove key to the final result.

The Dockers, with Chris Stowe at the helm, looked the more likely to break the deadlock and they did so in the 30th minute.

A long free kick by Tilbury’s skipper Jamie Wallace arced into the heart of Harrow’s defence.

And in the melee, Chris Stowe rose above Tobi Jinadu to nod home from 10 yards out.

The Dockers continued to press hard and Greg Cohen was back to his best form as a thorn in the side of Harrow’s defence.

Cohen found the head of Manlee Brown — but Boro’s keeper Andray Baptiste was quickly off his line to steal the ball from the advancing striker’s head.

As the seconds ticked down in the first period, Tilbury looked comfortable in defence – Daniel Smith still recovering from an eye injury he sustained against Wingate and Finchley a few weeks ago – looked in fine form and was letting little by him.

After the restart a good Gary Noel effort was coolly collected by the Tilbury keeper.

With 51 minutes gone came the goal that sealed the final.

Cohen used his pace to break free of the chasing Harrow defence after Manlee Brown set up the move.

Cohen whipped the ball into the box and it connected with a Harrow head.

Chris Stowe timed his run to perfection and hit the ball on the volley and into the net to make the score 2-0 — to the delight of the travelling Dockers.

Harrow felt they had a shout for a penalty appeal in the 60th minute when Jonathan Constant was challenged in the box by Daniel Smith.But the the Match Official waved play on.

Harrow had an chance to pull one back when Junior Baker was adjudged to have clashed with Harrow substitute Kurt Morlese in the penalty area.

The match official Mr Davies – did not hesitate as he pointed to the spot. But Harrow’s Lee Hall blasted the ball over the bar and Harrow heads dropped.

There was a nerve-racking time as the forth official signalled four minutes of injury time, but already the travelling Dockers fans were celebrating behind the Harrow goal.

The final whistle brought celebrations not witnessed since 1975 when Tilbury were the first club to have won this competition. All those years ago they beat Croydon 3-1.

The Isthmian League Cup was handed to Dockers Skipper Jamie Wallace by League Chairman Alan Turvey.

Wallace helds aloft the Trophy as the Dockers night of celebration hit fever pitch.

Man of the Match: Chris Stowe – Match Winner l Harrow Borough FC: - Andray Baptiste, Danny Leech, Ryan Watts, Wayne Walters, Tobi Jinadu, Kwasi Frempong, Lee Hall, James Fraser, Jonathan Constant, Gary Noel, Dorian Smith Subs: Kurt Morlese, Warren Whitely, Simon Dahi, Jerome Hall, Bobby Highton.

l Tilbury FC: Andy Hall, Daniel Smith, Joe Keith, Rickie Hayles, Junior Baker, Jason Fontaine, Jamie Wallace (Capt), Zubair Haleem, Chris Stowe, Manlee Brown, Greg Cohen Subs: Rashid Kamara, Dean Stannard, Zubair Haleem , Courtney Mclean, Nick Wilson.

l Match Officials: Referee:Mr Andy Davies1st Assistant:Mr Andy Mead; 2nd Assistant:Mr Craig Hicks; Fourth Official Mr Warren Atkin. Att: 284.

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