Matches

SAINTS GLAD TO SEE AN END TO THE BLUES
by Alan Fulbrook & Paul Smith-Allen

Grays kept up the momentum of pushing for second position in the table with a comfortable victory at Clarence Park. Saints will be happy to see the back of Mark Stimson’s side having been now been beaten three times this season, including an unforgettable 9-1 drubbing in the league encounter at the Rec.

Blues began the game with Ram Marwa in the side in place of suspended captain Martin Carthy, and on a good playing surface came under early pressure from the home side. Saints adopted a long-ball approach from the start, looking to exploit the height of their forwards, and Grays took some time to adjust and begin to deploy their passing game.

Having weathered the lively start, Blues began to create chances and took the lead on 20 minutes. Top scorer Freddie Eastwood cutting across the box past three defenders and slipping the ball just inside the post.

On 25 minutes Ram Marwa come off worse from a clash of heads with a Saints player and had to be replaced by Dean Bradshaw.

Grays continued to make the running and their domination of the last 10 minutes of the half culminated in a second goal. Substitute Bradshaw taking Leroy Griffiths’ pass and applying an accomplished finish from 10 yards out.

Although Saints came more into the game in the second half, Blues continued to retain most of the possession and create the better the chances. At times a degree of complacency crept into the visitors' game and Mel Capleton was called upon on a number of occasions and appeared to have forgotten his best gloves when spilling shots on 63 and 68 minutes.

Hot property Eastwood sealed the points for Blues on 83 minutes, blasting the ball home when found in space by the ever-industrious Leroy Griffiths.

The closing moments saw a penalty claim by the beleaguered Saints turned away after Corey Campbell went to ground in the box, and another chance falling to Freddie Eastwood in the dying seconds.

Blues thoroughly deserved a much needed three points, and Saints may take some comfort from the fact that some less than clinical finishing from Grays, coupled with a good performance between the sticks from keeper George Clark, ensured that the embarrassment at the Rec would not be repeated.

Teams:

St Albans: Clark, Zoricich, Sargent, Wraight, Brown (Capt) Campbell, Butler, Castle, Clarke, Watts, Thomas. Subs: Deacon, Jackman, Davies, Attwood, De Souza

Grays Ath: Capleton, Olayinka, Robinson, Bruce, Youds, Thurgood, Marwa, Daly, Eastwood, Hayzelden, Griffiths. Subs: Bradshaw, Barratt, Remy, Opara, Stimson

Attendance: 178

Your comments

Another good win for the Blues could not get to St Albans so glad of the report well done Blues carry on the good work at Kettering

Another good win for the blues. we are going to push hendon all the way to get that second place.
Good to see Freddie back in action.

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