Matches

NICE WEATHER FOR DUCKS by David Jarvis

Aylesbury performed the ultimate "smash-and-grab" on a wet evening at the Rec with a late goal that sunk Grays' FA Trophy hopes. In a fast-paced match where Blues created the better chances, it was Ducks striker Darren Lynch who popped up at the far post on 86 minutes to win Aylesbury a trip to Hornchurch in the next round.

Grays started the game well and within the first 10 minutes could have been two up. Martin Carthy burst through on 7 minutes but unlike Saturday, couldn't keep his shot down. Then Leroy Griffiths combined well with Freddie Eastwood but goal ace Eastwood's shot was easily cut out by 'keeper Kevin Davies.

On the half hour, Eastwood and Griffiths almost linked up again. A magnificent piece of skill on the right from Freddie Eastwood took him past the last defender, but his cross was gathered by the keeper after a diving Leroy Griffiths failed to connect.

Aylesbury threatened only once in the first half. Stuart Thurgood - who had an otherwise commanding game in the center of the park - gave the ball away in midfield giving Rory Hunter the chance to take on makeshift left-back Danny Hayzelden. However, Hunter's accurate shot was gathered safely by Mel Capleton in the Blues goal.

In the second half, Aylesbury's long-ball game and Grays' inability to win possession in midfield threatened to bring the game to a deadlock. However Freddie Eastwood was able to burst through on 75 minutes and cut the ball back for Martin Carthy, whose shot was blocked in the six yard area. Then Carthy connected with a corner from the left but his header came back off the woodwork.

In the end the killer blow came from Aylesbury - Grays again proving to be vulnerable from set pieces late in the game. A high and deep corner evaded the attentions of Mel Capleton and an unmarked Darren Lynch made no mistake.

A disappointing end to a game in which Grays should have made more of their earlier chances, made even more disappointing by the nature of the winning goal. Aylesbury go through to play Hornchurch in the 3rd Round on January 10th.

Grays Athletic
M Capleton, L Williams, S Robinson, D Lunan, Y Lewis, S Thurgood, D Bradshaw, M Carthy, F Eastwood, D Hayzelden, L Griffiths Subs: S Barrett, H Edwards, E Remy, J Martin

Aylesbury
K Davies, J Moss, C Jackson, P Covington, Hayward, T Ramasut, R Hunter, G Williams, D Lynch, D Gray, A Bubb Subs: Risbridger, Brown, Glynn, Reid

Your comments

It was on the cards as we missed too many chances. Our passing game also deserted us as we tried to copy the long ball game of the oppo.

Good luck to the Ducks at Urchins.

Both teams guilty of a bit of hit and hope. As usual Leroy looked dangerous and ran the show first half for you, but we defended solidly throughout. On our second half showing I though the goal was just about deserved.

Well done though, see you again in March.

Another dour performance from grays with two of the fastest strikers in the league we still could not beat Aylesburys offside trap, got to be something wrong somewhere still a long way to go before we are a force

An absolute disgrace

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