Margate v Tilbury - Saturday, August 27th, 1927

Posted below is the Thurrock Gazette’s report of Tilbury’s first ever match as a Senior Club, as you can see we made a very good, and probably unexpected, start to life at this level.

Saturday August 27th 1927. Kent League: MARGATE TOWN 3 v 5 TILBURY 1 WRAIGHT 1 A. BERRY 2 MORAN 2 W. McNALLY 3 CARPENTER 3 C. GODWIN 4 DAND 4 H. BAILEY 5 GAVIN 5 W. HILLS 6 RAMSAY 6 C. EDMONDSON 7 HARDING 7 W. JAMES 1: 8 GIBSON 8 A. ROUNCE 3: 9 BROOKES 1: 9 J. McNALLY 1: 10 CAMPBELL 10 J. FENWICK 11 KITTO 2: 11 C. WAKEMAN MATCH REPORT (from the Thurrock Gazette): Att: 2,500: Tilbury made their first appearance as a Senior ranked club in this Kent League encounter at Margate. Over 500 fans made the journey from Tilbury to see this debut, against a Margate side that was Semi-Professional in make up, containing 8 professionals and just 3 amateurs, and last season's Kent League runner up. The Committee had worked hard during the Summer to strengthen the side in order to be able to compete at Senior level, and Saturday's line up contained six of last season's "Junior" outfit and 5 new signings. They were rewarded with a fine display, and were complimented by Margate afterwards as the finest Senior debutants they had ever seen. The first moment of note was a timely tackle by Bailey, who then set James free on the right, but his final effort went just wide. The home team took up the running and, after some clever combined play, Kitto shot wide. It was soon apparent that Tilbury were playing opponents with much greater experience, but the speed and enthusiasm of the younger eleven gradually gained the ascendancy. After 10 minutes, Arthur Rounce received a cross from James and gave Tilbury the lead with a great first time effort that left Wraight helpless. Margate played on undismayed, and Kitto cleverly beat Bailey and W. McNally, but his final shot was well saved by Berry. Shortly afterwards, a fine effort from Wakeman grazed the crossbar. Tilbury continued to attack, and after a fine team movement went further ahead when Rounce scored with a fine shot. Margate rallied strongly, and Berry was forced into action, saving well from Kitto and then even more cleverly dealing with stinging shots from Harding and Gibson. Tilbury then resumed their attacking, and soon increased their lead to three goals. Wakeman escaped his markers on the left and from his centre J. McNally scored a magnificent goal with a spectacular overhead kick which took everyone by surprise. The latter stages of the half saw Margate pressing strongly, Brookes especially making his presence felt. On 35 minutes, Kitto showed a clean pair of heels to the Tilbury defence and centred for Brookes to score with a neat header. The interval arrived with Tilbury leading 3-1. The men from Essex now had to face the fierce Sun, and Margate started at a rare pace. Harding eluded Edmondson, but a very timely tackle by Godwin averted disaster. Gavin returned the ball to the goalmouth, where Berry pulled off a magnificent save from Brookes. Margate were constantly probing, but the Tilbury defence were holding firm. Eventually, though, their persistence paid off. Kitto received the ball from Campbell and went round W. McNally and Godwin, then practically walked the ball into the net. Tilbury took up the offensive again, with some glorious runs down the right from Rounce and James who were working well together, but the home defence gave nothing away, and from a breakaway Margate levelled the scores. Dand passed to Gibson who passed it on to Harding, he centred the ball and Kitto was able to shoot past Berry from close range. This set back stung Tilbury into more action, Fenwick raced through on goal but Carpenter appeared as if from nowhere to take the ball off his feet as he was in the act of shooting. A successful tackle by Edmondson and a fine pass to Wakeman brought more pressure to bear on the home defence and, after Wraight had saved finely on several occasions, Rounce received from Wakeman and coolly completed his hat-trick to put Tilbury back into the lead. Play now became even more exciting and end-to-end in nature. James had a shot well save by Wraight, then Campbell and Gibson combined to draw a fine save from Berry. With about 5 minutes to go, Wakeman ran down the left flank and passed to James, who rounded Carpenter and went on to score with a fast shot. Margate attacked desperately in the final minutes, and Hills needed to make a goalmouth clearance, but the final whistle declared Tilbury the victors of a thrilling game.