Matches

BLUES KEEP THE RUN GOING by Carol Smith-Allen

A competent display by Grays coupled with some bad luck for the home side saw Blue’s extend their unbeaten record, and maintain the pressure on league leaders Hornchurch.

Within a few minutes of the start City suffered their first blow when in-form striker Jon Stevenson pulled a hamstring, and was replaced by Paul Fewings.

Although Blues started brightly it was City who had the first chance of the match. Richard Scott’s short-corner was met by Carl Williams, but his weak shot was easily saved by Carl Emberson.

However, it was Blue’s who drew first blood. With 10 minutes gone, City keeper Duncan Roberts came off his line to clear Daniel Lunan’s cross from the left, but due to a lack of communication he collided with team-mates Chaffey and Fewings, leaving Freddy Eastwood to head the ball into the empty net. Both Roberts and Fewings required lengthy treatment from the City physio.

With Roberts struggling and Blues now on top, the Lillywhites nearly went further behind on 20 minutes. Martin Carthy nodded in Brennan’s cross for Freddy Eastwood, but the hit-man’s shot was blocked by a defender. Mitchell Cole picked up the loose ball, but blasted over the bar.

Roberts then succumbed to his injury, and with no substitute keeper on the bench Lee Chaffey took over, and substitute Lee Summerscales filled the vacant left-back position.

The home side then upped their tempo, and had a succession of chances coming close on 22 minutes when Carl Emberson was only able to parry Carl Williams’ shot, but Eddie Youds cleared the ball out of the danger area.

On 26 minutes City had their best opportunity of the half, when Dale Binns broke down the left and crossed the ball into the path of Dave Sadler, who passed-up the chance to shoot choosing instead to try to set-up Paul Fewings. Fortunately for Grays the ball fell just behind the substitute and allowed the Blues defence to stifle the opening. Minutes later, Binns’ close-range shot produced an excellent diving save from Emberson.

The latter part of the first-half saw possession even-out, and as the interval approached Blues could have doubled their advantage. Martin Carthy’s powerful low-drive from out on the flank was impressively stopped by former Ipswich Town player Chaffey.

The second-half was a battle largely fought out in midfield, with few chances for either side. Defences were on top with Matt Langston staring for Cambridge, and Steve Robinson excellent throughout, taking centre-stage for Blues.

Around the hour mark Blues made two substitutions in quick succession, with Eastwood and Brennan making way for Powell and Nutter. Ten minutes later, City’s Paul Fewings, an early substitute himself and now carrying a knock was replaced by Robbie Simpson.

The first real chance of the second period fell to Blues Mitchell Cole in the 73rd minute. Full-back Craig Pope failed to read Leroy Griffiths’ high hanging cross, and allowed Cole a free header which he directed narrowly wide.

Five minutes later Griffiths again broke down the right, this time a flatter cross was met by Vill Powell, just beating Glen Fuff to the ball, and heading beyond Chaffey to effectively seal the points.

In the dying minutes City almost snatched the consolation goal that their efforts deserved. Langston’s deflection of Williams’ shot sent the ball spiralling up into the air forcing Emberson to tip over from just below the bar.

Teams:-
Cambridge City:- Roberts, Pope, Chaffey, Fuff, Langston(c), Scott, Miller, Williams, Sadler, Stevenson, Binns Subs:-Fewings (4 mins for Stevenson), Summerscales (20 mins for Roberts), Simpson (74 mins for Fewings), Huke
Grays Athletic:- Emberson, Bruce, Lunan, Robinson, Youds, Thurgood, Brennan, Carthy, Eastwood, Griffiths, Cole Subs:- Wild, Overland, Powell (57 mins for Eastwood), Nutter (65 mins for Brennan), Bradshaw

Referee:- Oleksandr Saliy

Attendance:- 361

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