Grays Athletic 1 Thurrock 1 (Home)
Mon, April 12, 2004. Kick off: 3:00 PM
GRAYS STILL TOUGH TO BEAT AT HOME
by David Jarvis
On a sunny Bank Holiday Monday at the Rec, Grays maintained their unbeaten home record with a draw against local rivals Thurrock. Freddie Eastwood again made his way onto the scoresheet for his 26th league goal of the season, this time from the penalty spot.
Thurrock’s 2-0 victory in the corresponding fixture at Ship Lane recently was fresh in the mind going into the game and Grays were given a boost by the return of Leroy Griffiths returning after a 3 match suspension.
In a hotly contested first half, the first action of note came on the half hour. Eastwood curled a 20 yard free kick onto the woodwork with keeper Gothard beaten. However, despite having more of the possession in Thurrock’s half there were few openings for Blues.
Thurrock meanwhile also created little, their long ball game and set pieces floundering in the face of good defensive play from both Eddie Youds and Steve Robinson. Nevertheless against the run of play. Simon Martin turned Youds in the Grays penalty area to create space for a shot that was just turned around the post by Mel Capleton.
With Ellis Remy coming on for Danny Hayzelden in the 61st minute, Grays took on a more physical attacking approach up front. Concerted pressure on the Thurrock penalty area eventually led to Grays breaking the deadlock.
Having been manhandled all afternoon in the Thurrock area, Eddie Youds was awarded a penalty on 73 minutes after a clumsy aerial challenge from Tresor Kandol. Freddie Eastwood stepped up to send keeper Gothard the wrong way.
However having got ahead Grays showed unsteadiness at the back, and Thurrock were back on level terms within 12 minutes. Blues’ inability to successfully clear a series of long balls into the box eventually found Lee Allen unmarked. His shot was well-saved by Capleton but the rebound fell to Simon Martin who made no mistake.
At the death, both teams were jockeying for the three points. Thurrock will feel most disappointed after missing two clear-cut chances, one each for Martin and Akurang. But Blues can feel happy to have defended their home record again with only one home league game to go against Hayes on the final day of the season.
Grays Athletic
Capleton, Bruce (Bradshaw 20), Youds, Robinson, Lunan, Daly, Thurgood, Carthy, Hayzelden (Remy 61), Eastwood, Griffiths Subs Wild, Barrett, Bradshaw, Remy
Thurrock
Gothard, Purdie, Broom, Collis, Howard, Lee, Allen, Bowes, Kandol, Akurang, Subs Linger, Martin, Lawrence
Attendance: 374
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