Matches

WESTON HAVE A SUPER NIGHTMARE by Carol Smith-Allen

Anyone who saw Grays play Weston-super-Mare at The Woodspring Stadium back in September would have known that yesterday’s fixture at The New Rec was unlikely to be attractive to watch, and ‘pretty’ it wasn’t! The Seagulls, unable to match Blues technically, compensated by using their physical strength and the offside trap in this lively and incident-packed match, but Grays showed they are robust and went on to gain another valuable three points.

Stuart Thurgood feels Weston's physical presence. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Blues with Lee Matthews back in the starting XI, and with Tony Battersby playing up front in place of the injured Steve West, immediately began to take control of the game, and early chances fell to Thurgood, Battersby and Griffiths.

Around the quarter of an hour mark Grays appeared to have taken the lead, when Griffiths converted from Dennis Oli’s flick-on having been put through by Dean Brennan, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

In the 20th minute, Weston’s Matthew Rose was cautioned for a bad challenge on Thurgood and a subsequent lunge on Battersby, and in the aftermath that followed Thurgood also found his name in the referee’s little black book.

Blues continued to push forward, and on 31 minutes went ahead. A great run and inch perfect cross from Mitchell Cole was met by Griffiths who slid the ball home for his 19th goal of the season.

Grays winger Mitchell Cole, whose electric pace and cross set up the opening goal for Leroy Griffiths. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Ex-Southampton and Brentford defender Steve Jenkins then came close for the visitors, but Blues eventually cleared the ball, which had cannoned around the goal mouth, to safety.

Minutes later, Referee Mr. Pollard was brandishing his yellow card again, this time at Weston midfielder Lewis Hogg for a crunching tackle on Thurgood. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the box, although many Blues fans felt the foul had taken place in the area, and that a penalty kick should have been given.

As the first half came to a close, Battersby sent his shot wide of the post, and the Seagull’s free kick was blocked by the Grays wall.

Jamie Stuart in a mid-air tussle. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

The second half play saw Grays trying to play the passing game that epitomizes them, but finding it even more difficult than in the first period as the opposition became increasingly aggressive.

Griffiths came close for Blues in the 52nd minute, but his shot from an acute angle went narrowly wide, and midfielder Rose curled his effort just wide for the visitors. The Seagull’s best chance came when Stephen Cowe’s strike hit the underside of the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards, ex-professional Jarman made a ferocious tackle on Thurgood, and was fortunate to only receive a booking. Blues players and fans were becoming incensed.

The Seadull’s then made a double substitution replacing Andy Robertson and Thomas Bradley with Adie Mings and Paul Hunt. On 68 minutes Weston came very close to drawing level, when Captain Billy Clark’s shot was cleared off the line and out of play for a corner.

The Grays defence rally to block a goalbound Weston effort. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Grays then made two substitutions in quick succession bringing on nippy John Martin for the hobbling Cole, and Gary Hooper for Griffiths.

A great opportunity fell to Battersby from Martin’s free kick, but the striker sent his volley over the bar, and then Brennan’s low drive was blocked by keeper Ryan Northmore, whilst Seagull’s continued to play the offside trap.

With just under ten minutes remaining Dennis Oli was clattered to the floor, and a melee ensued. Although the free kick amounted to nothing, Martin then made a brilliant weaving run and crossed for Brennan at the far post, but the midfielder blasted over the bar.

Martin made another excellent run but was hacked down by Hogg, for which the former Barnet player received his second yellow card and the opposition were down to ten men. Things on and off the pitch were becoming a bit fractious, and the referee was not having the easiest of games.

With stoppage time being played Brennan squared the ball to Battersby, whose shot hit the woodwork, and as the ball ran loose, Jarman proceeded to flatten Brennan. Mr. Pollard did not hesitate in pointing to the spot, at which time tempers really did become frayed, and a brawl broke out with most players from both teams involved. Jarman wasn’t cautioned for the foul, but substitute Paul Hunt was yellow carded.

Somehow the referee regained control, and Skipper Thurgood stepped up and drove the ball past keeper Northmore into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Tony Battersby and John martin congratulate Stuart Thurgood on his last-minute match-winning penalty strike. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood (c), Brennan, Oli, Griffiths, Battersby, Cole Subs:- Martin, Emberson, Hooper, Powell, Heeroo
Weston-super-Mare:- Northmore, Robertson, Jenkins, Jarman, Clark (c),Rose, French, Cowe, Hogg, Thomas, McKeever Subs:- Mings, Hunt, Mehew, Hayward, Hodge

Referee:- Mr. T. J. Pollard

Attendance:- 607

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