Grays Athletic 0 Harrow Borough 0 (Away)
Sat, February 21, 2004. Kick off: 3:00 PM
GOALLESS AND SOULLESS AT BOROUGH by Paul Smith-Allen
Grays went into the game against draw specialist Harrow Borough again without leading scorer Freddie Eastwood, but on the back of a confidence boosting 4-1 victory in midweek at Maidenhead. Blues were looking for the win that would put them in the coveted second place behind leaders Canvey Island.
The home side started brightly and forced two corners in the opening minutes. Dean Marney headed over when well-placed from the second of these.
Both sides struggled to create any clear-cut chances as the game became increasingly scrappy. Blues first chance came after 15 minutes when Leroy Griffiths broke from the half-way line. Defender Richard Goddard did well to deny Griffiths a shot on goal. Minutes later Griffiths was again involved, beginning a move that saw the ball move to Stuart Thurgood, then to Martin Carthy who shot tamely at Borough keeper Keita Karamoko when a pass to Danny Hayzelden may have been the better option.
Wes Daly’s robust challenged on Borough’s Wayne Walters on 22 minutes was the catalyst for an unseemly scuffle with players from both sides joining in. Referee Williams acted promptly to cool the situation. Daly duly received a yellow card for his next infringement.
Grays started the second half in more positive mood. Leroy Griffiths heading narrowly wide from a free kick in the opening minutes, then being denied once again by a Richard Goddard tackle some 5 minutes later.
The pattern set in the first half continued throughout the second. An overly populated midfield, with strong challenges coming in from both sides, fragmented play and prevented any sort of flowing football.
Grays fans thought they had pinched the points as the game drew to an end. Eddie Youds, up from the back, looked to have headed the winner. The ball appearing to cross the line before being grasped by Borough keeper Karamoko. The protests of players and fans alike were waved away as the final whistle was blown.
Blues will be disappointed with only a point after recent good form, and are now in third position after Hendon’s win over Kingstonian took them into second spot. Canvey’s victory over fourth placed Carshalton leaves things very tight in the race for second position. There is nothing to choose between the teams in second, third, and fourth, with fifth placed Thurrock a little off the pace but with games in hand.
Teams:-
Harrow Borough:- Karamoko, Dogbe, Weale, Walters, Goddard, Marney, Fitszimon, Lopez, Underwood, Yoki, Valenti Subs:- Moore, Mouri, Hasan, Crosby, Charles
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Bruce, Olayinka, Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Daly, Carthy, Remy, Hayzelden, Griffiths, Subs:- Wild, Barrett, Bradshaw, Lewis, Marwa
Referee:- C. Williams
Attendance:- 211
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