Matches

WEST & CO BURY URCHINS by Carol Smith-Allen

Grays made the short trip to Bridge Avenue to face their main rivals Hornchurch in this top of the table encounter. Although Blues left The Stadium with the three points in the bag, the Urchins makeshift side following recent difficulties, made sure that Grays had to work hard for their victory.

Blues without Mitchell Cole, but with Leroy Griffiths back from injury dominated the early stages of the first half, and it was therefore no surprise when they took the lead in the 12th minute. Dean Brennan won the ball when under pressure from the Hornchurch defence, leaving ex-Urchin Steve West to power it into the roof of the net from 18 yards.

Hornchurch whose line-up included recent Northampton Town loan signings Chris Carruthers and David Hicks, together with Cobbler’s work experience striker Greg Ngoyi , gradually began to get into the game, and had their first shot at goal on 24 minutes; Danny Shipp’s low 25 yard drive was saved by Blues keeper Ashley Bayes. Their best chance to equalise came just after the half an hour mark, when Jean-Michel Sigere made a good run down the right flank only to see his shot parried by Bayes. Youngster Greg Ngoyi latched onto the loose ball, but his inexperience showed when he blasted over the bar with the whole goal available to him.

Minutes later, Gary Hooper was booked for a foul on Ian Cousins, and was himself forced to leave the field of play due to an injury sustained during the incident. Blues Manager Mark Stimson had no choice but to replace him, bringing on Vill Powell.

Urchin’s Jamie Southon then found his name in the referee’s little black book for a bad challenge on substitute Powell.

Solid defending by Hornchurch prevented Grays from increasing their lead, and so half time arrived with just one goal between the sides.

Just before the second half started the young Blues contingent continued to torment Hornchurch Manager Garry Hill. This time they released wads of imitation ten pound notes into the air as he walked past on his way to the dugout, and simultaneously sang ‘Where’s your money gone? Where’s your money gone?’ Again their antics brought a smile to Mr. Hill’s face during what must be a stressful time. Little did he know that soon he’d have something else to smile about!!

Grays began the second half the stronger of the two sides, but with only ten minutes on the clock, the Urchin’s were ‘gifted’ an equaliser courtesy of referee Mr. Miller. Keeper Bayes, off his line and under pressure from Ngoyi, was unable to hold onto Carruther’s cross. What most Blues fans suspected has been proven by Rob Monger’s video footage – David Hicks goalbound shot hit Jamie Stuart, covering for Bayes, in the chest. However, Mr. Miller saw it differently, and awarded Hornchurch a penalty for handball, and to compound matters sent Stuart for an early shower. If Stuart feels aggrieved he’s justified. Bayes did well to block the initial spot-kick, but Shipp followed up to poke the lose ball home.

Grays then re-grouped with West temporarily filling the vacant centre-half position, and shortly afterwards Blues made their second substitution replacing West with Steve Robinson.

The remainder of the second half was a rather scrappy affair, with the Urchin’s trying to close Grays down quickly, thus hampering Blues usual free-flowing style of play. However, an excellent pull-back and cross by Powell found Griffiths in the box, but he blasted over.

Hornchurch then replaced newboy Ngoyi with Andy Tomlinson, and in the 73rd minute had an appeal for a penalty declined after Sigere was alledgedly brought down in the box.

The last fifteen minutes of the match, were tense and noisy for the fans, and a bit frantic on the pitch as Blues pushed forward looking for the winning goal. They came close, when following a clearance by the keeper Stuart Thurgood’s powerful long shot went narrowly over the bar.

Then in the 83rd minute Grays were back in front. Powell shot past Baruwa from the edge of the area, having been put through by Griffiths following a weaving run down the right.

Powell’s goal sparked scenes of rapturous delight amongst the Blues fans, not seen since the penalty shoot-out against Margate last season.

The Urchins then made two substitutions in quick succession replacing Hicks with Kamara, and Southon with Perkins, and tried to get forward but with little success.

Teams:-
Hornchurch:- Baruwa, Kitamiriki, Cousins, Downer, Southon, Hicks, Carruthers, Hill, Shipp, Sigere, Ngoyi, Subs:- Perkins (used), Kamara (used), Tomlinson (used), Everett, Whincup
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood (c), Brennan, Hooper, West, Griffiths, Oli Subs:- Robinson (used), Emberson, Battersby, Carthy, Powell (used)

Referee:- Mr. Chris Miller

Attendance:- 740

Headline provided by Simeon aka Magic.

Your comments

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u may hav guessed i am quite pleased with the result

you keep doing these results boys. i stand to win 60000 grand if you win the league. i got you lot at 12 to 1 at the start of the season. ive got no ties with grays at all and i live in south london but i monitor your progress all the time. im not getting nervous just yet, as your without a dought the best team in the league at present, but please keep doing it. ive just seen the clip from the hornchurch match(TODAY) AND THE SUPPORT YOU LOT GET IS MASSIVE. SO A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE UNDOUGHTED TRUE FOLLOWERS OF GRAYS!!!! i'll even go as far to say that your noise outclasses the ''other team'' consideribly. now, if i win the bet, i would love to be at your presentation evening to buy everyone and i mean everyone a well earned drink. also if it looks like the bet's going to come towards the end of the season i would love to come to a crunch game to cheer my money, erm, i mean the team on! good luck lads and i'll be in touch. GO ON THE BLUES!!!!!! any fans wishing to mail me i'll be happy to chat. nice one.

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