Matches

UNBEATEN LEAGUE RUN ENDS AT TOP FIELD by Carol Smith-Allen

Blues recent run of good results came to an end in a rather dull affair against Hitchin Town at Top Field. The performance of both teams was certainly hampered by the poor state of the pitch; the heavy surface not conducive to free flowing football.

Grays saw the return of Stuart Thurgood following suspension but were unable to explore the potential of pairing Thurgood with Wes Daly, the latter having been recalled by QPR due to an injury crisis.

The first-half proved to be uneventful with only a handful of half-chances for either side. Hitchin’s Josh Sozzo had a couple of chances that were easily saved by Mel Capleton, and Martin Carthy’s low shot through a packed area was saved by Canaries keeper Richard Wilmot. A further shot by Carthy was also saved, and as the interval approached Stuart Thurgood’s long shot went narrowly wide. In fact, an unplanned detour through the Hertfordshire countryside on my way to the match proved far more enthralling!

The second-half began with Blues ‘upping the tempo’, and within minutes Leroy Griffiths had set up a great chance for Freddy Eastwood, but Richard Wilmot pulled off an excellent save. Four minutes later, Blues appeared on the verge of taking the lead, only to be denied by the dreadful surface. Martin Carthy’s shot looked to be heading for the back of the net, but the ball struck a divot which diverted it onto the post, with nobody else on hand to poke in the rebound.

At this point, the home side began to take the initiative, and after a spell of sustained pressure they took the lead on 65 minutes. Mark Bridge struck from close range from the last of a series of corners taken by Mark Coulson.

Immediately, Blues responded with a shot from Leroy Griffiths being saved by keeper Wilmot. Blues continued to apply pressure, but were for the most part were kept at bay by stout defending from the Canaries back line. However, an equaliser nearly arrived on 80 minutes, when Freddy Eastwood’s long-range effort was tipped over by Wilmot for a corner.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, Hitchin, although by now defending deeply broke away and could have extended their lead. Ian Scott, blasted an absolute sitter over the bar from a couple of yards.

Blues, having already replaced Danny Hazelden with Yohance Lewis, then brought on Ade Olayinka for Joe Bruce, and pressured the Canaries in the final minutes but to no avail.

Despite the disappointment of losing, perhaps Blues fans can take some comfort from the fact that both ‘Thurrock’ and Hornchurch only managed a point a piece.

Teams:-
Hitchin Town:- Wilmot, Childs, Hutton, Prater, Bone, Scott, Sozzo, Nicholl, Bridge, Coulsdon, Maynard Subs:- Hay, Phelan, McElroy, Burke, Duffy
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Bruce, Robinson, Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Williams, Carthy, Eastwood, Hazelden, Griffiths Subs:- Olayinka, Bradshaw, Lewis, Stimson, Barrett

Referee:- M. Griffiths

Attendance:- 370

Your comments

HITCHIN TOWN 2 grays Athletic 0

same people

were gonna be canvey,horchurch

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