Matches

ROVERS GET A RUDE 'AWAKERING' by Carol Smith-Allen

Blues ensured that they are in the ‘hat’ for the 2nd round of the FA Trophy by defeating Southern League Division One East side Great Wakering Rovers five goals to one at the Rec yesterday afternoon.

Right from the outset Blues were in control and on the offensive, but despite creating a host of chances during the first half they were unable to find the back of the net.

As early as the fifth minute Grays could have taken the lead, when Stuart Thurgood’s shot was tipped over the bar by Rovers keeper James Marrable. He then went on to make a succession of saves all in the first ten minutes of play.

At this point Rovers did get into the game a bit more, but it was still Grays who looked the far stronger side, and were having the majority of the possession. In fact it was all one-way traffic as Rovers had barely a shot at goal during the first period.

Blues came close again just after the half hour mark, but John Nutter’s 25 yard powerful strike was straight at the Rovers keeper, and minutes later the busy Marrable made a good save from Dean Brennan’s long range effort.

Three minutes before the interval Marrable was back in action; this time making a superb save from Thurgood’s close range header. Almost immediately, Blues had what was most certainly their best chance of the half when Gary Hooper got on the end of a free-kick at the far post, but his header went just inches over the bar.

So at the break it was all square, with Marrable definitely having earned his wages, but what the despondent Blues fans didn’t know was that the ‘fireworks’ were soon about to start!

Grays began the second half looking livelier and sharper than in the first, and with only a minute gone opened the scoring; following a corner a goalmouth scramble ensued, allowing Leroy Griffiths an easy tap in.

Shortly afterwards Blues made their first substitution replacing Gary Hooper with former Cambridge United and QPR midfielder Dennis Oli, and continued to push forward.

On 51 minutes Blues doubled their advantage when the newly introduced Oli headed the ball across the area, and Vill Powell ran it into the net.

Mark Stimson then made his second substitution bringing on recently signed Gavin Heeroo for Stuart Thurgood.

Against the run of play Rovers pulled a goal back, and in doing so gave themselves a glimmer of hope. A defensive error by Blues, allowed unmarked Mike Shelly to get on the end of a long ball in, and chip it over Nicky Eyres head.

Blues remained undeterred and laid siege to the Rovers goal, with Marrable making several good saves from Griffiths and Cole.

Just after the hour mark, Blues came close to getting a third goal when Powell hit the upright from 3 yards, and then having been set up by the impressive Oli blasted narrowly over the bar. However, the pressure paid off moments later when Powell laid a clever ball back to Griffiths, who promptly despatched it into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Then Griffiths got a hat-trick and Blues fourth, when he headed home at the near post from Dean Brennan’s precise free-kick.

Having made his mark Griffiths was then replaced by Tony Battersby, and Rovers brought on Sam Lake for Danny Pitts.

Despite victory being virtually assured Blues kept their ‘foot on the gas’ and on 78 minutes Battersby, with his first goal for Blues completed the scoring courtesy of a flick-on from Powell.

Blues may well have reached double figures had it not been for the heroics of Rovers keeper James Marrable, and now await tomorrow’s 2nd round draw to see who they face on the 27th November.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Eyre, Bruce, Nutter, Robinson, Popovic, Thurgood (c), Brennan, Hooper, Powell, Griffiths, Cole Subs: Carthy, Emberson, Battersby (73 mins for Griffiths), Heeroo (56 mins for Thurgood), Oli (49 mins for Hooper)
Great Wakering Rovers:- Marrable, Heffer, Woanham, Beal, Walshe, Scopes (c), Harrison, Pitts, Trenkle, Shelly, Harris Subs: Badu, Ewert, Lake (75 mins for Pitts), Dosser

Referee:- J. Hayto

Attendance:- 274

Your comments

Another electric second half performance. Let's hope for a good draw on Monday. BTW Ithink it was Vill who got the second goal.

Thanks Robert - I realised it was Vill who got the second goal when I was writing the report. Oops!! Have amended the goalscorers table accordingly.

Thanks Carol. Another great report. Didn't know you were a real live sports journo!

That was a good post, thank you!

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