Matches

BLUE'S UNABLE TO ESCAPE 'SCOTT' FREE by Carol Smith-Allen

Torrential rain at Church Road did little to dampen the spirits of either side, as they overcame the elements to produce a competitive encounter.

Despite being without regulars Stuart Thurgood (injured) and Eddie Youds (unwell), Blue’s seized the initiative, with Danny Hazledene shooting wide on 7 minutes, followed by a goalmouth scramble in which Steve Robinson was denied by a last-ditch tackle by Dwayne Williams.

At the other end Hayes responded with a break down the left, David Warner squaring the ball to the on-rushing Josh Scott, only for his pass to be intercepted and cleared by Lee Williams. Mel Capleton was then brought into action for the first time dealing easily with Paul Holsgrove’s shot.

On 32 minutes Blue’s had the opportunity to take the lead, but Freddy Eastwood’s knock-back was miss-kicked by Martin Carthy. Hayes then broke away, but Joe Bruce did enough to force the busy Josh Scott into blasting his shot well over the bar.

Blue’s pressed hard in the closing minutes of the half, and after some silky skills from Ram Marwa, Martin Carthy made up for his earlier miss by giving Blue’s the lead.

The second half started with both teams finding it hard to keep their feet as the playing surface began to worsen. Blue’s almost increased their advantage immediately, with Dean Bradshaw feeding top-scorer Eastwood whose vicious drive narrowly cleared the angle of post and bar.

Hayes now began to come more into the game, with keeper Mel Capleton having to deal with long-range efforts from Kevin Warner and Mark Molesley.

On 55 minutes Blue’s fans prematurely celebrated a second goal, when Leroy Griffiths, after beating two defenders in the box, saw his shot tipped onto the post by Jake Cole.

Play continued to be end to end, with Josh Scott continuing to trouble the Grays defence, firstly shooting wide then forcing Mel Capleton into a save. In turn Blue’s forced two corners that were dealt with comfortably by the Hayes defence.

Hayes began to apply more pressure, and drew level on 69 minutes, when Blue’s failed to fully clear a corner, allowing Dwayne Williams to find the persistent Josh Scott in the box, who slotted calmly past Mel Capleton. For the next 15-20 minutes Blue’s were under the kosh with the home side now dominating play, although they failed to create any clear cut chances.

Just before the final whistle Blue’s almost pinched all three points. Keeper Jake Cole only managed to parry Lee William’s shot, and Dean Bradshaw following up saw his effort beat the stranded keeper only to be hacked away by defender Rob Bixby.

So, the spoils were justifiably shared, with Blue’s having edged the first half, and Hayes coming back strongly in the second.

Teams:-
Hayes:- Cole, Case, Molesley, Bixby, Yeboah, Cleary, Paul Holsgrove, Williams, Scott, D Warner, K Warner Subs:- L Holsgrove, Collins, Hastings, Peter Holsgrove
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Bruce, Robinson, Williams, Lunan, Bradshaw, Marwa, Carthy, Eastwood, Hayzeldene, Griffiths Subs:- Lewis, Barratt, Stimpson, George, Thurgood

Referee:- G Scott

Attendance:- 205

Forthcoming fixtures