Matches

BLUES RAID THE EAGLE'S NEST by Carol Smith-Allen

For the handful of Gray’s fans that made the trip to The Eyrie, it was well worth the effort to see Blue’s pull-off a comprehensive 4 nil victory, in what usually proves to be a difficult match.

The first half saw Blue’s totally dominating play against a poor Bedford side, and they justifiably took the lead on 12 minutes, when Danny Hazleden’s pass was headed home by Martin Carthy.

On 23 minutes Blue’s made their first substitution of the match, with the yellow-carded Ram Marwa being replaced by Joe Bruce. Almost immediately they claimed their second goal, when after a weaving run down the right and beyond the Eagle’s defence, Leroy Griffith’s tight-angled shot evaded Bedford keeper Ian Brown to reach the back of the net.

Griffiths could have got his second 11 minutes later, but for the fact that one of his team-mates got in the way of his header. From the rebound Stuart Thurgood brought an excellent save from Ian Brown, but the linesman had already flagged for offside anyway.

As for the Eagles, they could only manage a paltry single shot at goal during the whole of the first 45 minutes.

The second half started with Bedford showing more desire and having equal possession to Blue’s. As a result of which, they created their first real chance on 57 minutes, when Julian Capone’s free-kick was cleared by Eddie Youds, only for the rebound to hit the side-netting.

Eagles were now really pressing forward, and Gray’s desperately needed a third goal to calm things down. On 74 minutes it finally arrived, when Danny Hazleden’s corner was headed home by Daniel Lunan. Blue’s then stepped up a gear, almost shining as much as Leroy’s silver boots were under the glaring Eyrie floodlights!

Then with ten minutes of normal time remaining, struggling Bedford made a double substitution. However, this made little difference, and a minute later Blue’s had notched-up their fourth - the Eagle’s defence failed to clear Freddy Eastwood’s shot, enabling Leroy Griffiths to place the rebound easily into the empty net for his well overdue second goal of the game.

In the closing minutes Blue’s could have increased their lead further, when Danny Hazleden’s shot from inside the box was tipped over and away for a corner. Moments later, there was what can only be described as an unnecessary fracas involving Joe Bruce and Eagles Drew Roberts, resulting in both of them being cautioned.

Although the home side were poor, this should not detract from the fact that Blue’s gave a more committed performance than of late, especially with the back four looking much more organized and solid.

Teams:-
Bedford Town:- Brown, Taylor, Lawley, Jackman, Howarth, Saril, Lazarus, Capone, Jaggard, Roberts, French Subs:- Juraszek, Steward, Everate, Purzycki, Barron
Grays Athletic:- Barrett, Williams, Robinson, Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Marwa, Carthy, Eastwood, Griffiths, Hazleden Subs:- Olayinka, Capleton, Remy, Bruce, Stimson

Referee:- S. Fay

Attendance:- 373

With thanks to Les and Pires for their assistance at the match.

Your comments

Great result, even if the opposition are having a torrid time having lost their manager and players to Aylesbury.

Again it seems the only thing you can predict about us is that we are unpredictable. A clean sheet AND four goals! Bring on the Purfrock!

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