Matches

GRIFFITHS SEES RED AS BLUES ARE BLOWN AWAY
by Alan Fulbrook and Paul Smith-Allen

Grays' miserable week came to a bad end as Blues were brushed aside by a determined Heybridge side at Scraley Road. Blues’ performance was only marginally better than their poor midweek showing at local rivals Thurrock, and their second defeat of the week was compounded by a sending-off for striker Leroy Griffiths.

The strong winds blowing across a ground exposed on three sides did nothing for the game, but Swifts adjusted better to the conditions and Grays were never comfortable on the ball.

In a fairly even first-half, the home side carved-out two early chances, both from dead-ball kicks from Danny Barber. Firstly on 5 minutes the Grays defence stood still in admiration as Barber’s corner was met unchallenged by Carl Griffiths who powered a header goalwards only for the crossbar to come to the rescue. Then on 14 minutes, Andrew Fotiadis should have done better with his shot after getting on the end of Barber’s free kick.

Blues hopes took a severe dent with the sending-off of Leroy Griffiths after 20 minutes. An off the ball tussle with centre-back Bradley Thomas saw referee Beevor produce a straight red card from his pocket. Mark Stimson responded by introducing another forward, Lloyd Opara, at the expense of Danny Hayzelden, and for a while Blues rose to the challenge with skipper Carthy and then leading scorer Eastwood driving shots just over the Heybridge bar.

Grays got to half-time on level terms but found themselves a goal down within a minute of the restart. With Steve Robinson appealing for a foul, Fotiadis finished strongly from fifteen yards. Blues were now on the back foot and one-down soon became two-down, an unmarked Carl Griffiths rising to head past Mel Capleton on 54 minutes. The Grays defence, missing stalwart Eddie Youds were now all over the place and only the efforts of keeper Capleton prevented further damage.

Swifts began to take a firmer grip on the game, and frustration resulted in yellow cards for Carthy and Eastwood. The introduction of Chris Wild and Dean Bradshaw, at the expense of Danny Lunan and Stuart Thurgood did little to arrest the decline.

Blues threatened on the break with Lloyd Opara going close, but the points were sealed on 66 minutes when Carl Griffiths netted his second after yet another mix-up in the Grays defence.

With Hendon winning at Bognor, second place now looks beyond the reach of Mark Stimson’s side, who were more than matched in terms of endeavour and desire by their hosts.

Teams

Heybridge Swifts
Pullen, Bourgeois, Barber, Pearce, Thomas, Pollard (Capt), Gillespie, Tomlinson, Griffiths, Fotiadis, Hutton. Subs: Robinson, Bull, McGowan, Buffong, Kersey

Grays Athletic
Capleton, Bruce, Robinson, Lunan, Olayinka, Thurgood, Daly, Carthy (Capt), Eastwood, Hayzelden, Griffiths. Subs: Wild, Bradshaw, Barrett, Opara, Remy.

Referee: Mr R.Beevor

Attendance: 204

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