Tilbury falter in Division one

The Dockers make a few changes to last Seasons Cup winning side.

Tilbury Boss Graham Chester brining in the experience of Ex-Aveley Midfielder Christian Wheeler and defender Glen Golby.

Other inclusions to the starting 11 is the vastly experienced Lee Hodges taking a Player/Coach role at Chadfield’s this season, along with Ben Bradbury, and the front paring of Chris Taylor and Keith Groves replacing the successful partnership of injured Chris Stowe and Manlee Brown.

The game got off to a slow start, both teams trying to find their rhythm. A Youthful Potters Bar side look lively and enthusiastic as they try to break down the Dockers defence - only to be met by the resilient Rickie Hayles in the Dockers defence.

The first chance of the game falling to the Dockers after 11 minutes, Ben Bradbury latches on to a long ball down the right, Bradbury using his pace to break free of the chasing Bar defence sweeps the ball into the path of Chris Taylor whose effort is blocked by a wall of yellow shirts.

A few minutes later Hayles taking a long throw into the box, the ball punted across goal which saw Bradbury coming in at the back post but fails to get a solid connection as the ball bobbles out for a goal kick.

The visitors now growing in confidence force a corner in the 26th minute of the game. The ball driven deep onto the back post and onto the head of the energetic Jason Watson who connects well, but fortunately for the Dockers the ball goes inches wide of the post.

33 minutes gone and Tilbury test the visitor’s keeper from a 25 yard free-kick – Jamie Wallace places the ball into the corner of the net and looked goal-bound, however, the 6ft 4” Jason Willis forced to go full stretch to his left palms the ball away for a corner.

Lee Hodges and Joe Keith combine well in injury time, Hodges opens up The Bar defence with a delightful pass over the top of the advancing visitors defence; Joe Keith with the ball at his feet shoots from the edge of the box Willis does well to parry the ball down before scooping the ball up to safety.

Into the second period and Tilbury continue to pressure the Bar defence, Bradbury flattened near the corner flag, the ball driven into the visitors box and cleared - but only as far as Keith Groves who smashes the ball goal-bound, Willis again needed to be sharp as he holds onto the venomous shot to keep the score level.

Chris Taylor this time goes for goal, Taylor skips past two defenders and makes some space just inside the box, the lively striker drops his shoulder and plants the ball towards goal, Jason Willis goes down to his right to make a fine save.

The Dockers Skipper Jamie Wallace battling for every ball regains possession in the middle of the park and sends the ball down the right to Bradbury, the lively midfielder playing his first game for the Dockers looks to impress as he reaches the by-line before being upended by a heavy challenge, the bewildered Bradbury throws his hands in the air and looks puzzled as the match official Mr Tweed decides to give a throw! Rickie Hayles with a trade-mark long throw meets the head of the towering defender Glen Golby – Willis again needed to be sharp to turn the ball over the bar.

64th minute and Tilbury Boss Graham Chester makes his first Substitute – Lee Hodges makes way for Dean Stannard.

The visitors showing their potential to break through the Dockers defence, Potters Bar’s Joe O’Brien smashes a long range effort over the bar.

Ben Bradbury and Chris Taylor playing a great one two, that resulted in Taylor with a sneaky back heeler into the path of Bradbury whose shot goes inches past the post.

Tilbury now playing some delightful football, talented defender Danny Smith swings the ball out to Joe Keith who brings the ball under control despite being challenged by bustling striker Shayne Wyllie, Keith stokes the ball up-field into the path of Chris Taylor, Taylor races on goal and tries to lobe the 6ft 4” keeper, Willis makes easy work of Taylor’s effort as he pulls the ball out of the air.

Potters Bar take the lead in the 70th minute, the visitors against the run of play stun the Dockers. The ball down the right was driven into the box, the ball looked to be going out of play however, Wyllie does well to regain control and strokes the ball into the path of lively striker Jason Watson who places the ball into the net past the outstretched hands of Tilbury’s No 1 – Andy Hall, 1-0 to the Bar.

71st minute and Tilbury make their second substitute, Ben Bradbury makes way for Zubair Hazeem.

Tilbury continue to drive forward, Skipper Wallace can be heard across the park motivating his side to push up.

74th minute and the Dockers make their 3rd and final substitute, off goes Christian Wheeler for the youthful Lee Hayes.

Daniel Smith Tilbury Defender pushes up as he sends Chris Taylor off on a run into the box, Taylor connects well, but Willis once more makes a good save to keep the Bar in front.

The Dockers press hard in the final few minutes, Lee Hayes finds a yard of space but his shot was tame as Willis collects.

Match official Mr Tweed calls time after allowing a generous amount of injury time.

Man of the Match Rickie Hayles – Solid Defending.

Tilbury FC: Andy Hall, Danny Smith, Joe Keith, Rickie Hayles, Glen Golby, Ben Bradbury ,Jamie Wallace (Capt), Christian Wheeler, Chris Taylor, Keith Groves, Lee Hodges Subs: Nathan Philip, Zubair Haleem, Lee Hayes , Dean Stannard, Lee Newton.

Potters Bar Town FC: - Jason Willis, Jonathan Spencer, Andrew Iweduino, Terry Smith, Denis Paratusic, Dan Odamo, shley Harrison-Barker, Joe O’Brien (Capt), Jordan Watson, Shane Wyllie, Lewis Donovan, Subs: Lewis Payne, Matt Bennett, Luke Croll, Reece Wilson, Tibor Kukan.

Match Officials Referee: Mr M.A. Tweed 1st Assistant: Mr P.M Smith 2nd Assistant: Mr A.Davies Att: 62