Thamesmead Town’s pursuit of the Play Off places continued with a battling win against Tilbury, as Terry Spillane’s side moved within seven points of the top five with nine games to go!
Tilbury will be disappointed that they didn’t open the scoring early on when following a defensive mistake Dwade James sprinted clear before being denied by a very brave block from Andy Walker.
In a tight opening half, Tyrus Gordon-Young then had a chance as he raced onto a through ball, managed to hold off a challenge before lifting the ball over the keeper only to see the ball bounce wide of the left post.
The deadlock was broken on the half hour when Theo Fairweather-Johnson was brought down on the edge of the box, and up stepped Richard Butler and coolly rolled home his 12th goal of the season, as keeper Clark Bogard dived to his right. Fairweather-Johnson was then unlucky as his shot on the turn sailed just over the bar.
The Mead striker wasn’t to be denied however seven minutes after the break as following a delightful through ball from Gordon-Young, Fairweather-Johnson’s first effort was blocked by the keeper, and following up, the Mead striker netted his fourteenth goal of the season.
The visitors responded well and pulled a goal back as Jack Carlile slid in to reduce the arrears. Tilbury then introduced Tony Martin for Jimmy Cook and with his first touch, the substitute brought a world class save out of Walker as the home keeper tipped the drive onto the bar. And from the resulting corner the home goal had a charmed life, as first Emiel Aiken struck a post only for Martin to clip the bar for a second time in a few short minutes.
The home goal then had a second amazing let off when Emiel Aiken driven cross was saved by Walker, who diverted the away from Martin, only for sub Andy Edmunds to drive the ball back across the face of goal in the opposite direction. Matt Game then fired in a shot that nearly caught Walker out forcing the keeper into a sprawling save before right at the end Jake Pooley headed wide.
Three more points for the Mead and that Play Off dream is still alive.
THE MEAD – Walker, Glasgow (Hopkins), Spillane, Butler, Vines, Dauti, Prescott, Porter, Gordon-Young, Fairweather-Johnson, Carnegie
Subs – Hollis, Prince, Jude, Everett