Matches

NO EARLY GIFTS FOR BLUES by Carol Smith-Allen

Another below par performance on a very windy day at the Rec, meant that Blues could only manage to obtain a point, against an equally poor Braintree Town side.

In a scrappy but fairly even first half, there were early chances for Martin Carthy who shot over, and Daniel Lunan’s shot went just wide.

Scott Barrett was then called upon to make two terrific saves, firstly from Dean Parratt and then Ross Wareham, before Blue’s took the lead on the half hour. After a free kick was only partially cleared, Daniel Lunan made a great tackle to win the ball, then put in a pinpoint cross from which Freddy Eastwood headed home.

Almost immediately, Braintree tried to reply, but Scott Barrett turned Ross Wareham’s shot away for a corner, which was subsequently cleared by Martin Carthy. A minute later the Irons had, what was undoubtedly their best chance of the half, when ‘new boy’ Adam Parker headed narrowly wide.

The second half started with both teams looking livelier, but it was Blue’s who had the first real scoring opportunity. Following a brilliant run, Freddy Eastwood’s accurate cross was met in full flight by Lee Williams, but his shot was blasted over the bar.

In the 57th minute, Town got the equaliser they had been striving for, with what can only be described as a stroke of luck. Scott Barrett came off his line to collect the ball, but totally misjudged it, and was left to watch in disbelief as the ball flew over his head and into the net.

This goal seemed to give Town a boost, but having said that, the remainder of the second half saw very little goalmouth action.

After the match, Grays Manager Mark Stimson said ‘ First half we created enough chances to be 2 nil up but wasn’t, and then in the second half we didn’t work their goalkeeper at all. Although it was very disappointing, there were a couple of very good performances i.e. Daniel Lunan and Joe Bruce.

Let's hope Blue's are able to raise their game, and give a more inspired performance next Saturday when they face in form 'Thurrock' at Ship Lane.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Barrett, Williams, Robinson, Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Bruce, Carthy, Eastwood, Hayzelden, Griffiths Subs:- Lewis, Capleton, Olayinka, Remy, Stimson
Braintree Town:- Rutherford, Good, Julius, Blackwell, Culverhouse, Quinton, Williams, Parratt, Wareham, Parker, Game Subs:- Asombang, Crosby, Mooniaruck, Cranfield, Forrester

Referee:- M. Griffiths

Attendance:- 271

Your comments

Disappointing again. Easy to blame Scott for the error on their goal, but he made two terrific saves in the first half before we scored. For our goal, great tackle from Lunan to win the challenge and put over a pinpoint cross for Freddie whose header was perfection.

How about this for marks out of ten:
Barrett 6, Bruce 6, Youds *8, Robinson 7, Lunan 7, Williams 5, Thurgood 7, Carthy 6, Hayzleden 6, Eastwood 6, Griffiths 6. Sub Remy - insignificant for 10 minutes.

Yes another low par performance we will certainly have to do much better if we are going to get anything out of the Thurrock game, (why they are called Thurrock i dont know because the name suggests that they represent the whole of Thurrock which is completely untrue as they only command a small patch of wasted space between West Thurrock and Aveley) Come on Blues show them who is Boss.

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