There are few fixtures that Blues and Dockers fans look forward to more, to get the pulse racing, than the renewal of Thurrock’s oldest footballing rivalry. Every game is shrouded by ghosts of the past and certainly for the Grays half of the borough, this renewal delivered in all departments.
Tilbury started the game much the better and had by far the greater share of possession and territory. From the off, the potent weapon of long throw-ins from Oliver Plunkett were a regular source of discomfort for the Blues defence, with keeper Danny Sambridge sometimes unsure whether to stick or twist. It took Grays until the quarter hour to threaten the home goal, when Anointed Chukwu released Callum Watts who was denied by a fine tackle from former Blue, Conner Martin. And another former Grays alumnus David Knight, produced a fine cross from the right wing, expertly cleared by Courteney Homans.
Tilbury were looking much the more likely to break the deadlock, but against the run of play it was Grays that opened the scoring on 28 minutes. And it was that pair again, Chukwu and Bantick who combined to create the opening for the latter, who buried his shot past home keeper, George Marsh, for a 1-0 lead.
And just 8 minutes later it was 2-0. Aron Gordon picked up the ball on the half way line and took off down the left wing, leaving defenders in his wake. Cutting into the box, his shot was saved by Marsh but Chukwu was on hand to poke home the rebound.
Knight has a chance late on in the half to open Tilbury’s account with a 25 yard free kick, but couldn’t beat the Blues defensive wall.

Half time: Tilbury 0 v 2 Grays Ath

Grays came out for the second 45 minutes looking to build on their lead and spent long periods in and around the Tilbury penalty box but couldn’t find the goal to put the game to bed. Chukwu had an early chance with a header from a long Sambridge clearance and Callum Watts shot wide after breaking through the home defence.
Tilbury’s forays into Grays territory were relatively few. Chris Millar had a shot comfortably saved by Sambridge and Darnell Kithamba tried the spectacular with a bicycle kick, but to no avail.
But Blues kept up the pressure with a series of corners that Tilbury were able to clear and Bantick was denied by a last ditch tackle, preventing a likely third goal. He also combined well with Aron Gordon passing the ball through the defence, drawing a fine save from Marsh.
In defence, Lewis Clark was having a fine game, leading by example, getting his head to everything and driving the line forward. Josh Osude, off the bench, caused his usual chaos, running at the Tilbury defence with pace and guile. And in the final couple of minutes, Watts shot wide again when clear through and sub Ryan Melaugh had an attempt cleared by Adam Topley.
So Blues take bragging rights, at least until Wednesday evening when the two sides meet again at Parkside in the Velocity Trophy.

Final score: Tilbury 0 v 2 Grays Ath
Grays Ath: Sambridge, Homans, Joynes, G.Winn (Toussaint, 58), L.Clark, R.Clark (Osude, 73), Gordon, Watts, Chukwu, Hahn, Bantick (Melaugh, 83)
Subs not used: Griek, Oyenuga