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Potters Bar 4, Tilbury 3

TILBURY'S long run without a Ryman Division One North win goes on and, despite the closeness of the scoreline, they were rarely a force to be reckoned with in Saturday's clash at relegation rivals Potters Bar.

Tilbury boss John Lawrence introduced some new faces, with Sam Groombridge from Chatham Town starting in midfield and James Dwyer and Luke Purcell on the bench.

The home side, managed by former Aveley boss Steve Browne, made a blistering start to what was always a full-blooded encounter.

Though Tilbury were committed, they were always off the pace and Potters Bar gave full backs Gbenga Sonuga and Danny Smith a particularly torrid time.

So it was no surprise when Potters Bar took the lead on 11 minutes when Darryl outpaced Sonuga and cut inside. His left foot drive was only parried by young keeper Danny Spendlove and Dwayne Jackman was on hand with a neat finish.

Spendlove, who is finding the task of picking the ball out of his net something of a habit having conceded 14 goals in his three games for Dockers so far, had to do it again on 20 minutes when Junior Dadson's excellent wingplay on the left ended with a cross that former Docker Sam Adejokan met with a fine volleyed finish.

Tilbury were forced into a change on 29 minutes when Babatunde Olagunju took a knock, with Chris Stowe coming on as a straight replacement up front.

Potters Bar should have been out of sight on 40 minutes when Dadson outpaced Nathan Philip but with the goal at his mercy he blazed well over.

It was a miss he was regretting three minutes later when Tilbury youngster Danny O'Connor, recovered from knock he took in Tuesday's win against Hullbridge, burst through the middle and laid an inch perfect pass into the stride of Kurt Smith who took it on and shot past debutant home keeper Fitzroy McAusky.

In the closing minute of the half Philip was booked for a foul, something that was to have serious consequences.

There was further bad news for Tilbury two minutes into the second half when Paul King, who had received a knock on his nose in the first half, couldn't continue. Matt Knight came on, with Groombridge moving into central defence.

Dockers barely had time to adapt to their new formation before Dadson produced a stunning solo goal on 52 minutes. He picked the ball up in own half, beat Philip, then Sonuga and rifled a shot in off the crossbar.

To their credit the visitors responded with their best move of the match. Philip started it with a crossfield ball to Luke Stanley who chested it down, beat a defender and delivered a far post cross which Stowe headed in for his first goal for the club.

Stanley was replaced by Dwyer on 65 minutes but Potters Bar were still in the ascendancy and they got a fourth goal ten minutes later when Wilson flicked the ball past Danny Smith. He ran to the byline, cut inside and, with everyone expecting a cross he and smacked the ball past Spendlove at his near post.

After the goal Tilbury began to get more possession as Potters Bar sat back but they looked unlikely to get back in he game.

That possibility looked even more unlikely when Philip received his second caution and was dismissed and Stowe limped off.

Through a difficult season Tilbury have shown that they are not short of courage and they battled back to get a late third goal when Groombridge cleared the ball and Kurt Smith showed his predatory skills to nip in between goalkeeper and defender.

His first strike hit the crossbar but he followed up to put home the rebound for his 14th league goal of the season.

Tilbury are due to face one of two teams below them, Ilford, away on Wednesday and some more goals from the impressive youngster certainly won't go amiss.

Tilbury: Danny Spendlove, Nathan Philip, Danny Smith, Gbenga Sonuga, Paul King, (Matthew Knight), Sam Groombridge, Andre Humphry, Danny O'Connor, Babatunde Olagunju (Chris Stowe), Kurt Smith, Luke Stanley (James Dwyer). Subs not used: Paul Agu, Luke Purcell.

Ryman Division One North, up to and ic Sat Jan 12

8:02pm Saturday 12th January 2008

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