Matches

BLUES HALT U'S UNBEATEN RUN by Carol Smith-Allen

Sutton came into this match on the back of a 6-0 demolition of high flying Carshalton, whereas Blues were looking to put behind them the premature conclusion of their local derby with ‘Thurrock.’

The visitors dominated the first 10 minutes, opening their account after only 4 minutes, when following a free-kick Tony Quinton’s header easily found the back of the net. Blues were then denied the chance of an immediate response when Leroy Griffith appeared to be fouled in the area, but the referee waved away claims for a penalty.

Grays gradually worked their way back into the game, and on 18 minutes Stuart Thurgood’s powerful penalty kick, awarded for a foul on Danny Hazleden, brought Blues onto level terms.

Blues took confidence from their opening goal, and began to have the upper hand with two chances for Martin Carthy, the first going over and the second just wide.

In the closing minutes of the first half Sutton could have had a second, but for an absolutely brilliant save from Mel Capleton, only just returned to the keeper’s jersey. Just to compound to the oppositions frustration Blues took the ball straight to the other end, and took the lead. Leroy Griffith’s back-heel was met by Ellis Remy, whose shot was turned around the post by Sutton keeper Andy Iga. Eddie Youds met the resulting corner, planting a firm header just below the bar and into the net.

Sutton started the second half as they had begun the first, and on 55 minutes drew level when following a free-kick given for a foul by Leroy Griffiths, Eddie Akuamoah came out on top in a one-on-one situation with Mel Capleton. Griffiths was subsequently booked for protesting his innocence.

Again Blues came back into the game, and four minutes later they came close when Martin Carthy’s long range effort produced a finger tip save from Andy Iga. Then on the hour mark Blues made their first substitution, with Freddy Eastwood replacing Ellis Remy.

Half-chances came and went for both sides, as each looked to find a winner. However, on 83 minutes Blues struck the decisive goal. Steve Robinson’s accurate pass found Lee Williams out on the right flank, who promptly converted the chance securing his first goal of the season, and three points for Blues. Ironically, it was Williams who was at the heart of the controversial penalty decision that decided the early season game between the teams at Gander Green Lane.

Blues had continued the good form that left them disappointed at the half-time abandonment of the game against ‘Thurrock’, and worked hard to achieve their first home league win since the 21st October, 2003. They should take good encouragement from defeating a team unbeaten in their previous nine league matches.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Williams, Robinson, Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Bruce, Carthy, Remy, Hayzelden, Griffiths Subs:- Eastwood, Wild, Olayinka, Stimson, Lewis
Sutton United:- Iga, Gray, Akumamoah, Palmer, Gonsalves, Bailey, Quinton, Honey, Fowler, Jinadu, Nurse Subs:- Hamlin, Tydeman, Fletcher, Boosey

Referee:- C. Plummer

Attendance:- 419

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