Matches

GRAYS GIFT DRAW TO LEAGUE LEADERS
by David Jarvis

Grays maintained their unbeaten home record with a battling performance against runaway league leaders and Essex rivals Canvey. And had it not been for an unfortunate own goal by Eddie Youds, Blues could have easily taken all three points.

Grays had an early boost when Canvey’s league-leading top scorer Lee Boylan was relegated to the sub’s bench – perhaps rested for Canvey’s FA Trophy clash at the weekend.

Blues set to the task immediately in the first half, putting Canvey under a lot of pressure. Captain Martin Carthy was instrumental throughout and after having two earlier chances, it was his shot on 26 minutes that led to the first goal. A Danny Hayzelden cross from the left found Carthy unmarked on the edge of the box and his first-time effort was parried by Canvey ‘keeper Potter. Hot shot Leroy Griffiths was on hand to volley the home the loose ball.

Just 3 minutes later Grays could have gone two up, but an individual effort from Freddie Eastwood went just wide.

Then, after 34 minutes, a long free kick from just inside the Canvey half found Eddie Youds back-peddling. A misunderstanding between Youds and Grays keeper Capleton saw the ball come off Youds’ head and trickle in to bring the scores level.

Canvey started the second half with more determination and Lee Boylan coming off the bench to put more pressure on the Grays defence. But despite more of the play going Canvey’s way, Gulls were still unable to create clear-cut goal-scoring chances.

Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch, Eastwood and Griffiths continued to threaten – but without finding the killer blow. Canvey defended well throughout and showed why their league record is unrivalled this season.

Despite substitutions for both sides, neither could produce that little bit extra required to clinch the three points. After the game, Grays captain Martin Carthy said, “I think we outplayed them and we deserved to win. They didn’t give Mel a shot to save all night, and we gave them a goal.”

Nevertheless, Grays can take some pride from defending a season-long unbeaten home record and stopping the league leaders in their tracks. With this strong performance under their belts, Grays can look forward to another local derby on Saturday at home to Ford United.

Grays Athletic Capleton, Bruce, Robinson, Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Daly, Carthy, Eastwood, Hayzelden, Griffiths
Subs: Opara, Barrett, Remy, Marwa, Bradshaw

Canvey Island Potter, Kennedy, Parmenter, Chenery, Ward, Theobald, Dobinson, Berquez, Gregory, McDougald, Midgeley
Subs: Boylan, Cowan, Duffy, Gooden, Harrison

Attendance: 722

Your comments

i think that the referee and linesmen were poor.the linesmen were not picking up on how far the canvey players were going before they took the throw.every time a caney player went down and appealed he gave a free kick and it wasn't until the grays crowd noticed and voiced their opinions the referee started to give free kick decisions that he makes instead of being a little lap dog for the canvey players calls.

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