Matches

RUSTY FORD TURNED OVER AT LAST by Paul Smith-Allen

Grays went into their second local derby of the week with main stays Freddie Eastwood (poisoned toe), Leroy Griffiths, and Wes Daly (concussion) missing from the starting line-up. In mid-week, Blues had largely dominated their encounter with league leaders Canvey but failed to take all three points. Today’s performance was less inspiring but more workman like, and was easily too good for a Ford side lacking in any real creativity. Manager Craig Edwards, back on his old stamping ground, will not have been happy.

Blues created a number of half-chances in the opening 10 minutes, and after a period of sustained pressure and a succession of corners and free-kicks, took the lead on 18 minutes. An excellent cross swung in from the left-hand wing by Daniel Lunan, was met with a thumping header by Lloyd Opara. Keeper Jamie Lunan watched helplessly as the ball sailed past him into the net.

The Motormen almost produced an instant response with their first chance of the game; Sammy Cooper was put through on goal, and raced into the box, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Danny Hayzelden. Ford striker Robbie Reinelt will have been relieved to see the linesman’s flag on 25 minutes when after a scramble in the goal mouth, he managed to slice wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.

As the midfield battle became scrappy, Daniel Lunan became the first Blues player to receive a yellow card. From the resulting free-kick taken by Dean Chandler, Steve Robinson’s poor headed back pass failed to reach Grays keeper Mel Capleton. Sub Dean Fenton nipped in to beat Capleton to the ball but fired over.

Although a few openings had fallen to Ford, it was still Grays that forced the pace and direction of the game. More free-kicks came and went,and on 39 minutes Ellis Remy closing in on Lloyd Opara’s right-wing cross, should have increased Blues lead but miss-kicked from six yards. Opara was booked for a ‘leading arm’ challenge on 43 minutes, and there was still time for Ellis Remy to pass-up another opportunity just before half-time when set free in the box by Dean Bradshaw.

As the second half started Blues picked-up where they had left off, pushing Ford back and forcing more free kicks. After 51 minutes, Ford Manager Craig Edwards withdrew Sammy Cooper from the fray and sent on Patrick Omgba. At this point, Blues made their first substitution of the match, bringing on Leroy Griffiths for Dean Bradshaw.

After 65 minutes, Ram Marwa came on to replace Ellis Remy and a minute or so later Blues effectively sealed the victory. Daniel Lunan’s high punt into the box saw his brother and Ford keeper Jamie hesitate, allowing the ball to bounce, and then be beaten in the air by Leroy Griffiths who headed over him and into the empty net.

Ford were now a beaten side and Blues created further openings that might have seen them increase the lead further. Leroy Griffiths, having caused the Motormen considerable trouble since coming on as sub, almost made it 3-0 with ten minutes to go, bursting into the box from the left-hand side, beating two defenders, and shooting narrowly past the post.

Manager Mark Stimson will probably be more pleased with the result than the performance, though key players were missing. Blues can take heart from a well earned victory and will go to Maidenhead on Tuesday confident of picking-up three more points.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Bruce, Robinson, D Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Bradshaw, Carthy, Remy, Hayzelden, Opara Subs:- Marwa, Barrett, Wild, Olayinka, Griffith
Ford United:- J Lunan, McLeod, Lewis, Chandler, Perkins, Cooper, Fiddes, Edwards, Reinelt, Poole, Eberendu Subs:- O'Sullivan, Fenton, Omeba, Halle, Wood

Referee:- G Evetts

Attendance:- 319

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