Matches

BASINSTOKE TOWN VS GRAYS ATHLETIC by Carol Smith-Allen

Grays gave a solid all-round team performance yesterday at The Camrose, home of Basingstoke Town FC, to secure a comfortable three nil victory over third place Stoke, in a match where Blues only occasionally needed to step out of first gear. In doing so, coupled with local rivals Thurrock beating second in the table Lewes, Grays have extended their lead at the top to thirteen points.

Grays, whose starting line-up included Steve Robinson for the injured Lee Matthews, and Vill Powell for the flu striken Leroy Griffiths, quickly began to take control of the game.

Blues first chance fell to Powell, having been set-up by Dean Brennan, but the striker’s close range effort was blocked by Stoke Skipper Jason Bristow.

Around the quarter of an hour mark Stoke’s Argentinian play maker Sergio Torres put the ball through the Grays defence to left-back Nathan Stamp, who only had out of position Ashley Bayes to beat due to a rare defensive mix up, but the keeper was able to recover to deny the home side the chance to capitalise.

Two minutes later Grays broke the deadlock, when Steve West connected with Brennan’s through ball to nod home, whilst the Stoke defence were busy appealing for an offside decision that wasn’t given.

At this point, the hosts started to get into the game and play became more even. Neville Roach’s cross was met with a volley by Christian Levis, but the midfielder’s shot was straight into the arms of Bayes.

On 26 minutes Blues came agonisingly close to increasing their lead, but were denied by superb goalkeeping from Bayes’ opposite number Scott Tarr. Following a surging run by in form Dennis Oli, first Powell saw his point blank range shot parried by Tarr, and then the keeper palmed away West’s effort, and as if that wasn’t frustrating enough he then made a third stop!!

Virtually on the stroke of half-time Grays dealt a killer blow to the home side by doubling their advantage. Oli made another great run, this time across the box, and Tarr used his feet to block the winger’s low drive, but Powell was on hand to poke the loose ball home.

Although Stoke rallied a little in the second period, Grays never really looked under pressure, and in the 56th minute Blues wrapped it up. From Brennan’s corner Stuart Thurgood pulled the ball back for Oli, who tapped it into the back of the net.

Stoke then made their first substitution replacing Ricky Allaway with Scott Smith, and Grays brought on Mitchell Cole at the expense of John Martin.

Stoke, looking to salvage something from the game, had a shot but again straight at Bayes, and then with the Grays keeper beaten Thurgood conceded the corner.

Both teams were now battling for the ball in midfield, and with Stoke losing on their own turf a few niggles developed. As a result of which Brennan was cautioned, and Christian Levis was spoken to be referee Ms. Toms for a foul on the midfielder.

With 13 minutes left on the clock Grays replaced Oli with promising youngster Gary Hooper, and five minutes later made their third substitution bringing on Liam George for his first start since sustaining an injury back in August with Powell making way.

As the final whistle approached the home side continued to look for a consolation goal, whilst Blues looked content to sit on their lead. Right at the death, Stoke were denied by Bayes who produced an excellent save from the impressive Torres’ 18 yard fierce strike.

Teams:-
Basinstoke Town:- Tarr, Cooper, Neville Stamp, Bristow (c), Allaway, Ray, Levis, Torres, Whiddett, N. Roach, Nathan Stamp Subs:- Smith (for Allaway 59 mins), McClurg (for ? 62 mins), Sumner, Zawadski, J. Roach
Grays Ath:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Robinson, Thurgood (c), Oli, Brennan, Powell, West, Martin Subs:- Hooper (for Oli 77 mins), Emberson, Cole (for Martin 64 mins), Battersby, George (for Powell 83 mins)

Referee:- W. Toms

Attendance:- 483

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