Matches

WHAT A DIFFERENCE 'THREE' DAYS MAKE By Carol Smith-Allen

Blue’s came back from their very poor performance at Hornchurch Stadium, to gain all three points against Bishop’s Stortford, with a display which was completely at the other end of the spectrum.

The first half started very lively, with Blue’s trying their best to get forward, and making good use of the flanks. They had a few scoring opportunities, before they actually took the lead, with one by Joe Bruce going just wide, and another by Martin Carthy heading straight into Micky Desborough’s arms. Then on 32 minutes, following a great run by Blue’s, Freddy Eastwood’s shot found the top corner of the net. Two minutes later Blue’s came so very close to getting a second, when a free-kick taken from 20 yards out, went to the side of the goal, was almost out of play, but passed back into the path of Freddy Eastwood, whose shot was then cleared off the line.

There were chances for Bishop’s Stortford too, but most of these were cleared by either Eddie Youds or ‘Robbo’, who was playing his first game of the season. The combination of Youds and Robbo made such a difference to the Blue’s defence; it looked so much more solid than of late. Stortford’s best chance of the half was on 31 minutes, but their shot was met with an excellent save by Scott Barrett.

Second half play was as lively, if not livelier than the first, and very entertaining. Possession was about 50:50, there was no way Bishop’s Stortford were giving up, and they could have opened their account as early as 2 minutes into this half, but for another great save by Scott Barrett. Blue’s then had a shot by Danny Hazelden rebound off the keeper, and Stortford hit the far post. A few minutes later Scott Barrett was called upon to make another superb save for Blue’s.

Blues looked a totally different class compared to Saturday; they looked well organised, and were passing with skill and accuracy, and to be fair to Stortford they were also able to knock the ball around well. There continued to be chances for both teams, and then on 73 minutes Blue’s got their second, when a cross in by Freddy Eastwood from the left, didn’t quite reach Tony Lock, but Stuart Thurgood did get on the end of it, to then score his first for the Club. This was met with rapturous applause from Blue’s fans!

Blue’s joy was dampened a little, when 6 minutes later, Stortford pulled a goal back. From their first shot, Scott Barrett went to punch the ball out, but completely missed it, leaving Aaron Barnett to tap the ball in, for what was a ‘really soft goal’, and one you couldn’t help thinking they would not have got, but for an error on our part. As a result of this, the last ten minutes were rather tense, with Stortford pushing forward looking for the equaliser.

During this period, Blue’s had an appeal for handball turned down; there was a heart-stopping moment when Scott Barrett was a little slow in coming out to make a save, followed by some ‘amateur dramatics’ from Wayne Vaughan in the box! However, Blue’s worked hard, and dealt with the concerted pressure from Stortford well, and in the very last minute made victory certain, when Freddy Eastwood made yet another impressive run, passed to Martin Carthy in full-flight, who then beat their keeper to make it 3-1.

This was great team work from Blue’s, 100% commitment, excellent goals, and best of all 3 points, which were fully deserved. KEEP IT UP BLUES!

Your comments

congrats on a good performance, your front 2 certainly made the difference between the 2 sides but I still believe your 3rd was way off side... sour grapes? nah good luck for the rest of the season, I'm sure you'll be up there.

Grays and Stortford played as well as each other but it's the goals that separated the 2 teams and being a Grays fan i was well pleased. Freddie Eastwood is such a good player, he scored 1 and set up the other 2 and he got the stoppage time winner against Northwood.

Stortford were a fair side. Never gave up. David Rainford looked good in your midfield. He started very well when he was with us a couple of years ago but fell away before moving on to Heybridge etc last season.Best of luck for the rest of the season.

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