Matches

GRAYS VICTORIOUS IN CLASH OF THE BLUES
by Alan Fulbrook and Paul Smith-Allen

Blues ended their run of draws with a well-deserved victory at Woodside Park over ‘fellow Blues’ Bishops Stortford. Stortford went into the game on the back of impressive wins over Hitchin Town and high-flying Hendon, while Blues will have been disappointed not to have sunk local rival Thurrock on Easter Monday.

Blues started well with Leroy Griffiths looking particularly sharp, testing keeper Micky Desborough early on, and putting Grays in front after 14 minutes. Skipper Martin Carthy secured the ball in midfield and set the pacy striker on his way and Griffiths fired confidently over Desborough and into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Grays now began to dominate play and while Desborough produced a fine save to deny top scorer Freddie Eastwood just after the half hour, the busy keeper was left helpless just minutes after as Blues extended their lead. Griffiths controlled Wes Daly’s cross and squared the ball to Chris Wild who fired a low drive past the despairing keeper.

The home side showed little in the way of attacking threat and seemed prone to ‘going to ground’ rather easily in the box, referee Darlow waiving away a number of dubious penalty claims. The second of these claims, coming just before half-time, was the catalyst for a 20-man ‘brawl’ as tempers that had become frayed throughout the first period threatened to boil over. Referee Darlow managed to calm things down, and Stortford striker Alex Martin was booked for diving.

Though Stortford came out after half-time with more determination, making the second half a far more even affair in terms of possession, they created little and Blues almost went further ahead when Chris Wild rattled the crossbar from Freddie Eastwood’s cross. The tall defender was involved in the action at the other end shortly after, receiving a yellow-card for a late challenge.

The ‘Woodside Blues’ began to make inroads into the Grays defence as the game entered its last quarter. Mel Capleton became increasingly busy and was called upon to make a number of important stops.

The life line that Stortford had been looking for arrived on 72 minutes. Alex Martin’s corner was met by Grant Cooper, and as the Blues defence (missing stalwart Eddie Youds) struggled to clear, the loose ball was thundered home on the volley by Glen Southam.

Pressure began to mount on Grays as Stortford pushed for an equaliser and Manager Mark Stimson introduced fresh legs in the shape of Danny Hayzelden (for Dean Bradshaw) and Lloyd Opara (for Freddie Eastwood) in the last ten minutes.

Blues could have made sure of the points with a couple of half-chances that came on the break, and Capleton survived accusations of elbowing as tempers frayed again late on, before making a smart save from Southam at the death.

Teams:- Bishops Stortford:- Desborough, Allman, Gwillim, Rainford (Capt), Cooper, Barnett, Howell, Southam, Kyriacou, Bunn, Martin Subs:- Wiltshire, Renner, Hayes, Tillotson, Haniff

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

Referee:- Mr. M. Darlow

Attendance:- 363

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