Matches

ROLLS ROYCE GRAYS OUTRUN UN-RELIANT ROBINS by Carol Smith-Allen

Grays continued their awe inspiring unbeaten run last night by defeating mid-table Carshalton Athletic 4-0, and with Hornchurch losing to Cambridge City, Blues now move seven points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Although possession was relatively even during the first half, with both sides displaying some good passing football there were few real clear cut chances. However, on 13 minutes Dennis Oli made a surging run through the middle only to be brought down just outside the box by Mark Costello. The Robins centre-back was promptly shown the yellow card, and Dean Brennan, maintaining his recent scoring streak, curled the free kick around the wall and into the top left-hand corner of the net.

As the half progressed Grays began to take control of the game, and only resolute defending and a series of good saves by keeper Stuart Searle prevented Blues from increasing their lead. Searle was first tested by Joe Bruce just after the half an hour mark, when he tipped the full-backs long cross/shot around the post. Then Searle made an excellent save at full stretch from Brennan’s corner.

Chances also fell to Steve West and John Nutter, but both saw their shots saved by the keeper, and at the other end Ashley Bayes denied Sam Saunders.

The second half started as the first had finished, with Grays dominating the play, and on 50 minutes Blues came close but Nutter’s strike went just wide. Then three minutes later Grays doubled their advantage; West got on the end of Griffiths cross, squared the ball to Oli in space on the right, who shot low and hard into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Grays then made their first substitution of the match replacing West with Tony Battersby, and with his first touch of the ball the substitute extended Blues lead; the experienced striker collected the lose ball on the edge of the box, after Searle had parried Oli’s effort, and fired home for Blue’s third.

Whilst Blues made it look effortless, their superior fitness being evident, the visitors began to look very tired having used most of their energy to stave off the Grays attacks during the latter stages of the first period. They then replaced Des Boateng with Billy Harding, and shortly afterwards Blues brought on Vill Powell for Griffiths, who left the pitch to loud applause from the home fans.

On 74 minutes Mitchell Cole came close for Blues having been set-up by Thurgood, but his curling 25 yard strike went just the wrong side of the post. Grays then introduced Gary Hooper at the expense of Oli.

In a rare attack by the Robins, Nic McDonnell turned a defender but shot narrowly wide, and five minutes later Blues almost made it four, but Battersby’s header was cleared off the line by Bradley Pritchard.

Then in the 84th minute, Grays did indeed get a fourth; Powell’s shot hit the upright, and Brennan smashed home the rebound. Two minutes later and it could have been five. Searle failed to hold onto Brennan’s cross, and the ball fell at Powell’s feet but he managed to blast it over the bar, when it would have been easier to place it in the net.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood (c), Brennan, Oli, West, Griffiths, Cole Subs:- Hooper (used), Emberson, Battersby (used), Powell (used), Robinson
Carshalton Athletic:- Searle, Hartburn, Pritchard, Costello, Elliott, Saunders, Carroll (c), York, Marvell, McDonnell, Boateng Subs:- Harding (used), Kane, Smith, Stone

Referee:- Mr. R. Bone

Attendance:- 355

Headline provided by 'Leroysfinger'

Your comments

I am plesed with the result four nil is ok by I
think we should had five goal instead of four.
I really like our performance I hope we will beat Eastbourne on Saturday afternoon and hoping
we will beat Thurrock on the sunday 26 of dencember.Well keep on going and we could see you with the trophy from the final game the season with that game against Havant and waterlooville.

Great stuff again from Blues what more can one say Keep it up Lads i shall be at Eastbourne on sat to see us continue our winning ways

Another great result. Would really like to see Gary Hooper back in the starting 11 on Saturday though.

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