TILBURY and Aveley continued their preparations for the new Isthmian North campaign by competing in pre-season friendlies.
The Dockers made it two pre-season wins out of two as they claimed a 4-1 victory over Hollands & Blair on a blistering afternoon in Gillingham.
Tilbury went into the game with a squad of 18 and made a number of substitutions at half-time.
The Dockers made a good start as Siju Odelusi hit home after being found by summer signing Lewis Smith on six minutes.
Smith was brought down in the penalty area on 10 minutes, but his spot-kick was well saved.
However, Tilbury doubled their advantage on 20 minutes when new signing James Walker struck a bullet effort into the roof of the net.
Joe Keith’s side continued to play some good football and made it 3-0 on half-time as Walker played in Odelusi, who netted his second goal of the game and fourth in pre-season.
Tilbury went further in front, on 63 minutes, when Toby Aromolaran was played in and rounded the goalkeeper to score.
The home side continued to push hard and were rewarded on 68 minutes when Salami slipped and Caleb Bearman-Dyce fired home.
Adam Vyse had a chance to notch Tilbury’s fifth goal of the afternoon but, despite having plenty of time and an almost entirely open goal, the frontman could not convert.
Tilbury's next outing is a trip to Sporting Bengal United, of the Essex Senior League, on Tuesday night.
Aveley’s preparations for the Isthmian North season continued with a 2-2 draw at Brantham Athletic.
Jack Newman volleyed the hosts in front, but James Webster’s Millers turned the game on its head as they took the lead with two goals.
However, the home side equalised and neither side could find a winner.
Aveley welcome National League South newcomers Billericay Town to Parkside on Monday night.
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