Matches

Match Report vs Cambridge City by Carol Smith-Allen

Cambridge City got the rub of the green yesterday at the Rec, and emerged victors in what was an eventful and rather tense encounter.

Within five minutes of the first half, Grays whose starting line-up included John Martin for the suspended Stuart Thurgood, and Steve Robinson for the injured Lee Matthews found their feet, and began to lay siege to the City goal.

Grays defender Steve Robinson wins an aerial clash
(Photo: © tgsphoto.co.uk)

During the first thirty minutes of play Blues created at least a dozen chances, but the visitor’s defence showed their resilience by withstanding the onslaught. Mitchell Cole had a shot cleared off the line, and City keeper Duncan Roberts more than played his part, saving Griffiths’ low drive, with his feet from Martin’s close range shot, and also at the far post from a Dean Brennan effort amongst others. Steve West, Brennan and Joe Bruce all had strikes that went narrowly wide of the upright.

Mitchell Cole looks for an opening in the resolute City defence
(Photo: © tgsphoto.co.uk)

Then with 33 minutes of the clock, and completely against the run of play City, who had barely had a shot at goal took the lead. A crisp exchange of passes, just prior to which, John Nutter was caught with a stray elbow to the face, left the lively Dale Binns in space to slot past the advancing Ashley Bayes.

Binns’ goal seemed to inspire the opposition, and they immediately began to push forward. Four minutes before the interval they came close to getting a second when Dave Sadler almost got on the end of Binns' fierce cross, and Jamie Stuart had little choice but to put the ball out of play for a corner.

With only five minutes of the second half gone, Grays made their first substitution replacing Dennis Oli with Vill Powell. Although Blues were obviously looking for an equalizer they were finding it difficult to penetrate the resolute Cambridge defence.

Leroy Griffiths holds the ball up
(Photo: © tgsphoto.co.uk)

In the 63rd minute Blues had the opportunity to draw level when Powell was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded. However, Brennan’s rather weak spot kick was saved by keeper Roberts. Then to compound matters City got a second goal, Dave Sadler firing home from close range.

With twenty minutes remaining Cambridge made their first substitution, replacing Carl Williams with Matt Robinson. At the same time Grays made their second change bringing on Gary Hooper for Cole; shortly afterwards replacing Nutter with Tony Battersby.

Despite being two goals down, Grays dug deep to fight back and their pressure paid off on 79 minutes; in a goalmouth scramble substitute Hooper prodded the ball home to give Blues hope of salvaging something from the game.

Three minutes later Blues appeared to be on equal terms, when West headed in from a corner only for referee Mr Cairns to disallow the goal for an infringement. Surely this was another sign that this was not going to be Grays' day!

However, undeterred the hosts continued to bombard the City goal, and the visitors defended in numbers in a desperate bid to hold onto their slender lead, and hang on they did.

Grays came out losers in this tense top of the table clash
(Photo: © tgsphoto.co.uk)

So having suffered their first defeat since the 2nd October, lets hope that Grays bounce back with a Yuletide gift for their fans by defeating arch rivals Thurrock at Ship Lane on Boxing Day.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Robinson, Martin, Brennan, Oli, Griffiths (c), West, Cole Subs:- Hooper (used), Emberson, Battersby (used), Powell (used), Carthy
Cambridge City:- Roberts, Fiddes, Summerscales, Fuff, Langston (c), Simpson, Miller, Williams, Stevenson, Sadler, Binns Subs:- Robinson (used), O'Neill, Simpson

Referee:- Mr. M. Cairns

Attendence:- 566

Your comments

absolute bulls***, what a cr@p result

very poor performances same as the ref unlucky deano it was funny when the lino fell over!!!

stimo got it wrong today how can he leave garry hopper and tony batersby on the bench and play that cart horse west very disopointed with his choice

The original "smash and grab raid". Great game, wrong result.

It would be good if we were given more information about players who seem to have disappeared from the team like for example Eddie Youds

We should have won the game with all the chances we had very dissapointing result

Check the fans forum every Monday evening for up to date injury details - I shall endeavour to try and find out when Eddie is likely to be fit when I speak to Mark tomorrow evening.

For the attention of Gerry. Regarding your messsage above - Carol puts a report on the forum every week regarding absentees. Eddie had a car accident some weeks ago and is suffering with a back problem as a result. He is at most of the games keeping an eye on things. Liam George, the other long term injury, has now had a game in the Ressies, so hopefully will be back in contention soon. Lee Matthews took a knock agianst Newport. No doubt Carol will advise us when he will be fit. Merry Xmas on and all.

How can you say that was a poor performance.

I thought we played really well, just couldn't finish it off.

Thought we missed stu thurgood. Hooper should have been on from the start, he really made a difference when he came on.

Smash and Grab, somes it up very well. Grays are the best team in the league, with the best players. We defended very well. The match stats prove who was the better attacking side were, but football is all about taking chances when they occur, we score 2 from our 3 shots on target. A great result for my team, but i'm sure Grays will win the league.

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