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TUMBLE: Kurt Smith can't find a way through. Picture by Spencer Jarvis, www.footypics.co.uk

Tilbury 0, Northwood 2

THOUGH Tilbury have played much worse than this, they found themselves deservedly beaten at a muddy, windswept Chadfields this afternoon.

Still on a high from the midweek relegation battle win at Ilford, Dockers certainly edged the first half of this Ryman Division One North but in the second half they missed a glorious chance, then were ruthlessly put to the sword by a side able to up their pace, tempo and skill levels.

Pre-match the focus of attention was on each side's young striker. Kurt Smith has collected 18 goals this season but he is eclipsed by Northwood's exciting young marksman Elliott Buchanan who has garnered 21.

Barnet boss Paul Fairclough was among those attracted to watch Buchanan but it proved a wasted trip as the youngster injured himself ten minutes into the match, his enthusiasm taking him into a clash with Tilbury keeper Paul Agu and he came off worst, picking up a damaged knee.

Fairclough, apparently not interested in Smith or anyone else, was reported to have left soon after but he would have been wasting his time staying as the young Docker was strangely starved of the ball and didn't have a sniff at goal throughout the match.

In fact he was eclipsed up front by strike partner James Dwyer who turned in a decent performance, coming closest to a goal with a clever first half effort that hit the post and a second half header that he ballooned over the bar when he ought to have done better.

With the wind at their backs in the first half Dockers dominated possession but though the mercurial Andre Humphrey had one of his better games and another teenager Danny O'Connor asked a couple of questions with shots on target, they were largely toothless.

Northwood, who were lucky to see Abdul Yoki escape even a yellow card for an ugly kick at Agu soon after Buchanan's departure, suffered another blow when Ryan Tackley had to go off after getting a whack on the head.

But they adjusted defensively and kept Tilbury at bay, other than Dwyer's clever effort a minute before half time when he skipped to the by-line and from the most acute of angles bent the ball around keeper Ben Harris, only to see it come back of the far post, with no-one astute enough to follow up with an empty net waiting.

Northwood got the hairdryer treatment from manager Colin Payne in the dressing room and they came out a much improved side after the break, getting the ball in the net through Jerome Hall in the half's opening minutes though it was disallowed for a push.

Buchanan's replacement, Adrian Abramian, was then put through but denied by a superb tackle from Tilbury's Danny Smith.

Soon after it was against the run of play when Dwyer got his second chance of the match, but though he rose head and shoulders above everyone else to meet Luke Purcell's cross he put it high over the bar.

Purcell, who was to be replaced by Matthew Knight when he evntually ran out of steam, had enjoyed an impressive performance in the heart of midfield, bringing much-needed strength and aggression to that department, but he - like his midfield colleagues, were missing when Northwood got their opening goal on 68 minutes.

Dockers were caught by a speedy Northwood counter attack but the back four raced back to get in position and clear Michael Gordon's first cross.

However, though the defensive header wasn't the strongest, Northwood's players following up were unchallenged as they picked it up and fed it back to Gordon and he picked out Abramian with a peach of a low cross, leaving the substitute the easiest of tap ins.

Gordon was becoming the man of the match with his pace and power and never was it better illustrated than in the 73rd minute when he was allowed space on the edge of the box to pick up the ball.

He darted into the box and picked his spot, thrashing a fierce spot inside Agu's near post.

The keeper, who retained his place after Wednesday's win with youngster Danny Spendlove apparently ditched as he didn't even feature on the bench, might be faulted for his positioning, but he wasn't half as culpable as his outfield teammates.

Probably most guilty was Luke Stanley, who looked increasingly lightweight and out of sorts before being hooked by manager John Lawrence with 15 minutes to go in favour of another striker Joshua Coulson.

Coulson almost made an impact after an opportunity was carved out for him by Lee Springer, who had replaced Dwyer in the wake of the opening goal, but he lashed his shot wide, opting to use his right foot when the angle favoured his left and with that Tilbury's chance of a fightback was gone.

Northwood ended the match with ten men as Jerome Hall went off with a facial injury but they more than comfortably held on.

Results elsewhere weren't that favourable for Tilbury, with Ilford picking up a win, Waltham Abbey getting three points and Waltham Forest one against Aveley.

However, Dockers' destiny still rests firmly in their own hands and they will hope to make the most of a south Essex derby back at Chadfields on Tuesday when Great Wakering Rovers are the visitors.

Dockers will have skipper Paul King, who was suspended for the Northwood game, back and manager Lawrence may well introduce at least one new face.

Tilbury also have a date at Soho Square on Tuesday with the hearing following the abandoned match against Waltham Abbey due to take place. Dockers face charges of failing to control their players but believe they have a good case to take to London.

Tilbury: Paul Agu, Danny Smith, Gbenga Sonuga, Jay Taylor, Luke Purcell (Matthew Knight), Sam Groombridge, Andre Humphrey, Danny O'Connor, Kurt Smith, James Dwyer (Lee Springer), Luke Stanley (Joshua Coulson). Subs not used: Nathan Philip, Kasey Scotter.

Ryman Division One North, up to and inc Jan 19

6:55pm Saturday 19th January 2008

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