Matches

BLUE'S CATCH DUCKS IN 'FOWL' WEATHER by Carol Smith-Allen

In a lively encounter, Grays came from two goals down to earn a replay at the Rec on Tuesday evening.

Blues, without the late-arriving Leroy Griffiths who was relegated to the bench, struggled in the first-half to come to terms with Aylesbury’s offside trap tactics.

In a fairly even opening half an hour both teams found chances hard to come by, but on 15 minutes Blues created their first real opportunity, when Freddy Eastwood’s close range effort was brilliantly saved by Duck’s keeper Kevin Davies.

With half time approaching Aylesbury took the lead. Blues' defence opened up like ‘Moses parting the waves’ allowing Darren Lynch to move through unchallenged and despite a suspicion of handball, strike past Mel Capleton.

Worst was to come for Blues when Aylesbury doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Chris Jackson’s free-kick avoiding everyone in the packed box, deceiving keeper Mel Capleton and going straight into the net.

Blues introduced Leroy Griffiths early in the second half, and seemed to have fresh impetus. Almost immediately, Martin Carthy was sent clear by Lee Williams, and reduced the arrears with a confident finish. Before Aylesbury could recover Blues were level. Prolific scorer Freddy Eastwood met Daniel Lunan’s excellent cross, driving the ball powerfully past Kevin Davies in the Ducks' goal.

Blues now began to take control of the game, with Aylesbury looking to strike on the break. The presence of Leroy Griffiths had swung the pendulum in Grays' favour, and on 75 minutes he sent Freddy Eastwood through but good pressure from the Ducks' defence forced the striker to shoot and the ball swerved wide of the goal.

As the match entered the last ten minutes Aylesbury’s breaks became more frequent, the game evening out again. Firstly, Blues were forced into a goal-line clearance, then with two minutes remaining of normal time, Mel Capleton produced a finger tip save to keep the score level. In between these attacks, Blues' Joe Bruce was stretchered off with what looked like a gashed knee.

As the heavens opened, referee Jones added seven minutes of rather tense injury time. Aylesbury again forced the Blues defence into a goal-line clearance, while at the other end Keeper Kevin Davies turned Martin Carthy’s close range effort around the post for a corner, from which Blues could not secure the tie.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Bruce, Robinson, Lunan, Williams, Thurgood, Marwa, Carthy, Eastwood, Hayzelden, Martin Subs:- Bradshaw, Barrett, Griffiths, Lewis, Remy
Aylesbury United:- Davies, Moss, Jackson, Covington, Gordon, Reid, Glynn, Williams, Lynch, Reed, Bubb Subs:- Ramasut, Risbridger, Hunter, Gray, Brown

Referee:- Mr C Jones

Attendance:- 305

Your comments

loads of injury time?
panic in the penalty area?
another replay?
is that what they mean by deja vu?

by the way, if anyone's stuck for ideas for leroy's christmas present, I believe an A to Z would be in order

Very fair reflection of the game. Defensively we were poor. On both goals we were caught out, even if the first was a clear handball. Still we have to admire the spirit in the side. Let's give the boys our full support in the replay. It's all to play for.

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