Matches

EASTWOOD 'MAKES BLUES DAY' by Carol Smith-Allen

On a glorious autumn day down at the Rec, a hat-trick from Freddie Eastwood in a potentially difficult match against Hendon, put Blue’s through to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Blue’s got off to a flying start, when on 2 minutes following Danny Hazleden’s corner a ball pinging around the box was eventually picked up by Freddie Eastwood and slotted into the corner of the net.

After a lively first 10 minutes, then came a rather quiet period, with neither team having any scoring opportunities. However, things did improve, and on 25 minutes Leroy Griffiths made an excellent run down the left, showing the skill that has made him an instant favourite with the Blues fans, and held the ball up for the approaching Danny Hazleden, whose shot was just over.

Hendon then proceeded to apply a bit of pressure on Blues, but again on 39 minutes, Leroy made another excellent run down the left, this time holding the ball up for Martin Carthy, whose in-flight shot was easily caught by Dave King.

Just before the interval following neat interplay between Freddie and Leroy, Danny Hazleden was upended in the box by Steve Butler. A penalty was awarded, but to be fair, even Blues fans felt this decision to be harsh. Nevertheless, Freddie Eastwood wasted no time in putting the ball into the corner of the net.

So the second half started with Blue’s two to the good, and within minutes Dean Bradshaw came on for Stuart Thurgood, and then Tony Lock replaced Danny Hazleden.

Hendon showed more effort than they had in the first half, and on 61 minutes, thought they had pulled one back, when Martin Randall cleverly flicked the ball into the back of the net before Mel Capleton could get to it. Hendon’s joy was short-lived though when they realised that the linesman had his flag up for offside. Hendon fans are adamant that their goal should not have been disallowed, but perhaps this was an indication that it just wasn’t going to be their day.

Then a few minutes later Hendon saw Mel Capleton make an excellent save from their corner, and then on 66 minutes their fate was sealed; when Leroy put in an intelligent pass to Freddie, who beat the offside trap to hit home.

The last ten minutes of the half, saw Hendon having more possession and chances, and certainly testing Mel, who was called upon to make several brilliant saves. In fact, a diving save in the 87th minute left him needing treatment from the physio.

With Blue’s superior fitness and class again showing, I’m sure the fans and players alike will be eagerly awaiting Mondays draw, to see who we face and where in the next round.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Williams, Robinson, Olayinka, Youds, Thurgood, Marwa, Carthy, Eastwood, Hayzelden, Griffiths Subs:- Stimson, Barrett, Bruce, Lock, Bradshaw
Hendon:- King, Evans, Duncan, Cooper, Butler, Bates, Forbes, Cook, Randall, Ofori, Cousins, Crace Subs:- Delisser, Burgess, Lindsay, Hunt

Referee:- J. Bottomer

Attendance:- 406

N.B. This article may be published/copied providing the author is acknowledged.

Your comments

great reslut lads!. keep up the good work freddy!

Another excellent win - if we sometimes rode our luck with their disallowed goal and missed transgressions by our boys.

Well done boys

Another good win for the Blues although Hendon had a lot of the ball and tried to muscle us out of it at times our superior players and football told in the end, Bring on the next round no matter who it is "BLUES WILL WIN"

What A Win! Keep it up Blues! 4th Round Q's Here We Come!

See we have got Margate again in the FA Cup at home could have been worse We beat them before we will beat them again " Come on you Blues"

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