Matches

'OLI' MAKES A FINE MESS OF THURROCK by Carol Smith-Allen

The bitter cold did nothing to deter droves of Blues fans from making the short trip to Ship Lane yesterday for the first of two festive derby clashes. For those that endured the wintry conditions it was well worth it as Grays outplayed and outclassed their local rivals to deservedly emerge victors in this entertaining encounter.

Thurrock centre back Jimmy McFarlane competing with Steve West. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

First half play was lively and relatively even with both sides having spells on top, and Blues displaying some good passing football whilst the home side preferred the more direct approach.

With only nine minutes on the clock Blues opened the scoring; Dennis Oli burst through the middle, on the first of many occasions, and although Thurrock keeper Billy McMahon got a touch to his low 20 yard drive it wasn’t enough and Blues were in front.

Dennis Oli tormented the Thurrock defence, scoring one and setting up another for John Martin. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

From the restart Thurrock almost drew level when Tresor Kandol’s shot, having beaten the Grays defence, hit the upright.

The home side then continued to look for an equalizer, and in the 31st minute it arrived but not before Steve Heffer had been cautioned for a shove on Stuart Thurgood, and Kandol yellow carded, when the general consensus was that he should have been sent for an early shower for an off the ball incident. Glenn Poole, recently signed from Redbridge FC, found himself in space on the edge of the box and slotted past Bayes into the right-hand corner of the net.

Blues then stepped up a gear, and McMahon was called into action, firstly blocking Thurgood’s shot, and then making an excellent save to deny Oli a second goal.

Leroy Griffiths controls the ball. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Grays made their first substitution during the interval replacing the injured Mitchell Cole with John Martin, and as is often the case of late during the second half, they totally took control of the game.

It was no surprise then when Blues regained the lead in the 53rd minute. Steve West, unmarked at the far post, got on the end of John Martin's free kick from out wide on the right, to nod home with a trademark header.

Steve West celebrates after scoring from John Martin's free kick. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Against the run of play, Cliff Akurang broke through the Grays defence but his close range shot was blocked by Bayes. For a short period thereafter the hosts did get into the game, during which time they replaced David Lee with Lee Hodges and ex-St. Albans midfielder Adam Parker with Kris Lee. However, this spurt was short-lived as once John Martin’s well placed strike, having been set-up by Oli, had given Blues their third goal the hosts lost all shape and were in danger of completely falling apart.

Minutes later the result was put beyond doubt, when Oli turning in probably his best performance for Blues, teed-up West inside the box and the centre-forward smacked the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net.

West wins another aerial battle. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Grays then brought on Vill Powell at the expense of Oli, and within minutes of entering the field of play, the substitute had two great chances to extend Blue’s lead. Firstly, West faced with the advancing keeper smashed the ball against the cross bar, and Powell drove the rebound against the post. Then a minute later, with the Thurrock defence in total disarray, Powell broke through, hit the target, but keeper McMahon saved with his legs.

At the death, the home side pulled a goal back when Poole’s corner was initially blocked by Bayes, but in the ensuing goalmouth scramble Kandol headed home.

This win puts Grays ten points clear at the top of the table, and although Thurrock will no doubt be looking for revenge at the Rec on January 1st, I’m sure Blues will want to do the double and start the New Year with a victory.

Teams:-
Thurrock:- McMahon, Collis, Goodfellow, Goddard, McFarlane, Parker, Heffer, Lee, Poole, Kandol, Akurang Subs:- Lee (78 mins for Parker), Hodges (67 for Lee), Lawrence, Fletcher, Sealey
Grays Ath:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Robinson, Thurgood, Brennan, Oli, Griffiths, West, Cole Subs:- Martin (45 for Cole), Battersby, Powell (83 for Oli), George, Emberson

Referee:- Mr. M. Bull

Attendance:- 853

Forthcoming fixtures