Matches

BLUES MAKE A MEAL OF TOUGH SARNIES by Paul Smith-Allen

The waterlogged state of Egham’s pitch saw this Bryco cup tie transferred to the Rec under grey skies and a chill in the air. The gap in league status between the teams suggested a comfortable win for Grays, following-on from their excellent New Year’s Day win over Sutton. As is often the way of cup ties, this was not the case. A lacklustre display from Blues, combined with the industry of the visitors, produced a tight affair with little to warm the cockles of the smaller than usual crowd.

Although the superior quality of the ‘home’ sides passing was evident, Egham worked hard throughout and defended extremely well, with Centre-back Andy Dugdale particularly outstanding. However they threatened little, Mel Capleton being reduced to the role of spectator for large periods of the game.

Blues' best chances in the first half came from corners or balls crossed in from wide areas. On 8 minutes Danny Hayzelden crossed from the right, and after a scramble in the box, Freddie Eastwood blazed over the bar at the second attempt. On 14 minutes Hayzelden, unchallenged in the area, met Lee Williams’ cross and should have beaten keeper James Mercer from point-blank range but header narrowly wide.

Sarnies created their first chance after 16 minutes, Matt Edwards, put through on goal from just over the half-way line, slicing his attempt under pressure from two Blues defenders chasing back.

On 27 minutes, Leroy Griffiths found Martin Carthy in a crowded penalty area, Carthy’s quick thinking and smart back-heel teed the ball up for Stuart Thurgood who made good contact but failed to hit the target.

Though Blues tried to make real use of the space in wide areas being afforded down the right-hand side in particular, with the crosses raining in at times, there were few occasions when the Grays forwards managed to get behind the visitors defence for that all important pull-back.

Sarnies' Dave Shevel received the game’s first and only yellow card on the stroke of half time for dissent.

The second half saw much of the same fare as the first, Blues trying to be a little too elaborate at times, and Sarnies working hard to shut down the space.

On 48 minutes, Egham had their best change of the match, Matt Edwards rising head and shoulders above the Grays defenders, only to direct his powerful header straight into the arms of Mel Capleton.

Blues manager Mark Stimson began to ring the changes. Dean Bradshaw replacing Lee Williams after 63 minutes, and Ellis Remy replacing Leroy Griffiths on 65. Remy looked sharp and began to trouble the Egham defence almost immediately.

Stimson entered the fray himself after 73 minutes, at the expense of Danny Hayzelden, in an attempt to muster some on the pitch inspiration for his side.

After 77 minutes, the lively Ellis Remy almost broke the deadlock with a low strike from the edge of the box. The quality of the strike was only matched by the save of the match from Sarnies keeper Mercer who turned the ball away for a corner at full stretch.

Not to be denied, Remy finally decided the tie with 10 minutes remaining. Taking the ball on the edge of the box, with his back to goal, the forward’s smart turn and quick shot was enough to find the corner of the net.

The closing minutes saw the visitors trying to get forward in search on an equaliser but making little headway. Grays looked more likely to score again but were unable to find that vital final pass when breaking through from the halfway line on several occasions.

Such was the mediocrity of the match, that the highlight of the day was some good-natured banter between the Blues fans and the Egham physio who made several visits onto the pitch during the game, took some fearful stick in good part and braved the supporters' bar after the match!

Blues will need to rediscover their form of New Year's Day when they visit high-flying Carshalton next week at Beddington Park.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Williams, Robinson, Lunan, Olayinka, Thurgood, Bruce, Carthy, Eastwood, Hayzelden, Griffiths Subs:- Bradshaw, Barrett, Youds, Remy, Stimson
Egham Town:- Mercer, Redwood, Shevel, Dugdale, Smith, Payne, Lusengo, Odiewe, Xavier, Edwards, Hynes Subs:- Omuta, Gray, Davey

Referee:- C. Lymer

Your comments

Thank you all for making us very welcome at Grays Athletic yesterday. Everyone was tremendous, some very good fan banter going and all talking together making it a very good day out in a very good atmosphere. Football won on the day but good luck to Grays in the next round and for the rest of the season.
We lookforward to meeting you again maybe in friendly, just an idea.
Any way thanks again and good luck to you all in 2004
Pete Atkins Chairman Egham Town F.C.

Thanks Mr Chairman. Nice to see there were no hard feelings between the Clubs. With your spirit and good football I'm sure you'll climb the League in the second half of the season.

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