Matches

NEW BLUES TOO GOOD FOR OLD FOES by Carol Smith-Allen

Blue’s recorded their first win of the season with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Redbridge FC (formerly known as Ford United), who since ex-Grays Manager Craig Edwards joined them have proved to be a ‘bogey’ side for Blues.

The first half started very lively and with Redbridge, who had at least 6 ex-Blue’s players on the pitch including the recently signed Wayne Vaughan, having the upper-hand. Their first scoring opportunity came on 6 minutes when Greg Lincoln got on the end of a high cross from K. K. Opara only to see his close-range effort plucked from the air by Blue’s keeper Carl Emberson. It wasn’t long before the visitors took the lead though. On 10 minutes a poor clearance by Emberson allowed Glen Poole to pick up the ball 20 yards out, and lob it over the stranded keeper.

Blues then began to get into the game more, which was still being played at a very fast pace, and created several chances but were lacking the finishing touch. Before Blues did find the equaliser Redbridge had a golden opportunity to increase their lead, when Wayne Vaughan fed Opara who found himself one-on-one with Emberson. Opara then attempted to round the keeper, who made contact with the ball and pushed it away. The loose ball almost fell to Poole, but was cleared out of the danger area by Steve Robinson. Blues then drew level on 25 minutes when John Nutter’s powerful strike from out on the left-flank found its way past Redbridge keeper Jamie Lunan and into the back of the net.

Redbridge made their first substitution in the 32nd minute replacing right-back Kevin Stephens with Richard Halle. However, 2 minutes later Blues took the lead with another fantastic goal, when Freddie Eastwood’s 20 yard low drive flew past Jamie Lunan.

Almost immediately Blue’s increased their lead further; Dean Brennan’s free-kick was not properly cleared by Redbridge, and Martin Carthy wasted no time in hammering the ball past Jamie Lunan from close-range to make it 3-1. Redbridge initially looked unsettled, but composed themselves, and nearly pulled a goal back just before half-time. Allan McLeod played in Edwards who saw his shot hit the crossbar with Emberson beaten.

With only a few minutes of the second half gone, and the Redbridge defence looking decidedly shaky Liam George poked the ball home to score Blue’s fourth.

Play then continued at a furious rate, and Redbridge must be given some credit, they never gave up even though they were trailing by 3 goals. In fact, they were having more possession and chances then in the latter part of the first half. Manager Craig Edwards then made his second substitution bringing on Jay Murray for Opara, and shortly afterwards Wayne Vaughan was replaced by Daryl Plummer. Redbridge couldn’t find that elusive second goal which might have changed their fortunes.

Although still end to end the match went into a bit of a lull, with no real chances for either side, despite Blue’s replacing George on 77 minutes with Mitchell Cole. Then in the final minutes of the match Dean Bradshaw and Ellis Remy came on for Brennan and Eastwood.

A well deserved win for Blues who gave a good all-round team performance.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Carl Emberson, Joe Bruce, Daniel Lunan, Steve Robinson, Eddie Youds, Stuart Thurgood, Dean Brennan, Martin Carthy, Freddie Eastwood, Liam George, John Nutter Subs:- Dean Bradshaw (87 mins for 7 Brennan), Simon Overland, Ellis Remy (89 mins for 9 Eastwood), Chris Wild, Mitchell Cole (77 mins for 10 George)
Redbridge:- Jamie Lunan, Kevin Stephens, Allan McLeod, Ben Lewis, Greg Lincoln, Alex Fiddes, Craig Edwards, K K Opara, Glen Poole, Wayne Vaughan Subs:- Richard Halle, (32 mins for 2 Stephens), Jay Murray (57 mins for 9 Opara), Daryll Plummer (69 mins for 11 Vaughan), Yohance Lewis, David Bull

Your comments

well done blues great performance (cant remember Glenn Poole scoring though) still 4 is ok

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