Matches

UNBEATEN RUN ENDS by Carol Smith-Allen

It was inevitable that at some point Grays would lose their unbeaten home record, and it was third in the table Basingstoke who brought the run to an end. In a very lively encounter, at the Rec Basingstoke defeated Blue’s by a goal to nil, lifting themselves into second position and Blues down into third.

Perhaps it was an early omen that it was not to be Blues day when in the 7th minute Mitchell Cole suffered an injury, and was replaced by Vill Powell.

Despite dominating for the majority of the first-half, and having a hatful of chances Blues could not make them count. Blues best opportunity fell to Thurgood who got on the end of Eddie Youd’s header only to see Basingstoke keeper Scott Tar produce an excellent save. Then on 40 minutes Vill Powell met Joe Bruce’s cross with a text book downward header only to see the ball bounce over the bar.

Three minutes later, against the run of play disaster struck for Blues, when Nathan Stamp put in a great cross for Neville Roach who headed home.

Things then went from bad to worse for Blues when the resolute Eddie Youds suffered an injury and had to be replaced.

Shortly, into the second half a heavy downpour made conditions unpleasant for players and fans alike.

During the rain soaked second period as hard as Blue’s tried they were unable to find the equaliser, not helped by the Basingstoke defence going from strength to strength as the game progressed. In fact Basingstoke came close to increasing their lead with long-range shots from David Ray and Neville Roach.

After the match Grays’ manager Mark Stimson said ‘Although I’m naturally disappointed with the result I wasn’t upset with the way we played. Not making excuses the injuries to Mitchell Cole and Eddie Youds didn’t help our cause. Our home unbeaten record had to come to an end some time, and I have spoken to my players at the end of the game of the need to get back to our best at the next home game on Tuesday against Sutton United.’

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Emberson, Bruce, Nutter, Robinson, Youds, Thurgood, Brennan, Carthy (c), Eastwood, Griffiths, Cole Subs:- Olayinka, Overland, Wild (for Youds 45 mins), Powell (for Cole 8 mins), Hooper (for Brennan 80 mins)
Basingstoke:- Tarr, Cooper, Smith, Bristow (c), Stamp, Ray, Levis, Torres, Whiddett, Roach, Stamp Subs:- Tanfield (for Levis 28 mins), Allaway, Parrington, Zawadski, Westell (for Stamp 87 mins)

Referee:- Mr. J. Hayto

Attendance:- 406

PS I apologise for the fact that there isn't much for the second half, but my specs were covered in rain, as a result of which I couldn't see much!!

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