Matches

BLUES CLIP CANARY'S WINGS By Carol Smith-Allen

On a sunny but breezy afternoon down at the Rec, Blue’s gave one of their better performances, enhanced by the addition of new forward Leroy Griffiths, to take the three points against a lacklustre looking Hitchin Town.

Blue’s started lively, with Freddy Eastwood and new boy Leroy Griffiths, looking formidable up front, and within the first 15 minutes both went close to scoring, but it was Martin Carthy that had the best chances; on 8 minutes he shot just wide from a central position, and on 15 minutes after a skilful run and pullback by Freddy Eastwood he again shot wide.

On 26 minutes the Canaries had their first real chance of the half, when following a corner, the ball skimmed across the goal mouth, with no-one getting on the end of it. Shortly, after this play was held up for a few minutes, when an over-exuberant Blue’s fan ran onto the pitch and had to be escorted from the ground. As amusing as this was for the nearby Blue’s supporters, it is likely to prove far less amusing for the Club, who are likely to be fined as a result of the incident.

Following a quiet period, the game then burst into life, when on 41 minutes Tony Lock delivered a brilliant ball to Ade Olayinka, leaving him to then put in the cross for Martin Carthy to head home at the far post. Two minutes later Blue’s increased their lead; after a good run by Eastwood, Ade Olayinka was instrumental again, putting a high ball into the area, leaving Leroy Griffiths to beat Canaries Keeper James Robinson, and put the ball into the back of the net. Robinson appealed for a foul, but the referee Vincent Culot made an excellent decision, in allowing the goal to stand, as Robinson had definitely not been impeded.

Second half play, saw Blue’s having the majority of the possession, and creating plenty of scoring opportunities, but unable to convert them into goals. It also saw Ran Marwa, Dean Bradshaw and Stuart Thurgood dominating play, and displays of class from Eastwood and Griffiths. In a bid to turn the game around, Hitchin brought on Wayne Mills for Carl Drew, and then Matt Childs for Matt Nolan, and they did begin to push forward a bit more. On 65 minutes their long shot was saved by Scott Barrett, and on 78 minutes Barrett was again called upon to make an excellent save from Wayne Mills’ shot.

On 81 minutes Blue’s fans were incensed when following a lovely ball in by Ran Marwa, Canaries Keeper James Robinson, appeared to punch Leroy Griffiths instead of the ball. Blue’s fans appealed for a penalty to be given, but after consulting the linesman, the referee bizarrely gave Hitchin a free-kick.

Blue’s just could not extend their lead, even a well-rehearsed free-kick by Marwa and Eastwood, was brilliantly saved by Robinson.

It has to be said, that the score line does not reflect how much the Canaries were outclassed and outplayed; Blue’s could have won this match by 4 or 5 goals. KEEP IT UP BLUES!!

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Barrett, Bruce, Robinson, Olayinka, Bradshaw, Thurgood, Marwa, Carthy, Eastwood, Lock, Griffiths Subs: Youds, Capleton, Lunan, Hayzelden, Stimson
Hitchin Town:- Robinson, Bone, Rydeheard, Frater, Ayres, Osborne, Williams, Brennan, Drew, Parker, Nolan Subs: Mills, Maynard, Scott, Childs

Referee:- V. Culot

Attendance:- 251

N.B. This article, or part of, may be copied/published providing the author is acknowledged.

Your comments

Really dominant display today.

Leroy is a good signing - a perfect foil for Freddie. Hitchin were chasing shadows in the second half.

GRAYS ATH ARE STARTING TO PLAY SOME GREAT FOOTBALL
AND IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN 4 OR 5 AGAINST HITCHIN

What has happened to wayne vauhgan?

I've was wondering what had happened to him too -I'll try and find out.

I spoke to him on Saturday. Don't think he is quite fit at the moment.

Post a comment

Debate and banter are encouraged but please keep it civil. Racist and/or offensive remarks will be removed.

Please refer to our terms of use.

Forthcoming fixtures