Matches

CUP CRUISE FOR BLUES by Carol Smith-Allen and Alan Fulbrook

Blues travelled to Clarence Park last night to play St. Albans City in the 1st Round of the Carthium Cup. Despite a poor first half, Blues went on to comprehensively defeat a very physical Saints side by five goals to two.

Having had their confidence boosted by their win against Basingstoke on Saturday St. Albans, whose line-up included ex-Blues Ram Marwa, were without a doubt fired up for this match. They also took advantage of playing down the slope during the first half.

The first 30 minutes of play saw the Grays goal being constantly bombarded by Saints, but solid defending by Blues, and some very good saves by Nicky Eyre (the busiest man on the pitch!) kept the home side at bay.

During the latter stages of the first period Blues began to get into the game, and were almost gifted a goal courtesy of Ben Martin, when he headed Dean Brennan’s effort clear just missing the post.

However, five minutes before the interval Saints got the opener they had been striving for. Ben Walshe’s well struck 25 yard free-kick, given for a foul by Zeljko Popovic, went across the Grays wall and into the corner of the net.

St. Albans joy was to be short-lived as Blues drew level almost on the stroke of half time. From Dean Brennan’s free-kick out on the right, the ball bobbled around in the crowded box before being bundled over the line. Although it appeared that Tony Battersby got the final touch, the goal was in fact credited to Saints Chris Seeby.

This must have been a cruel blow for City; they had dominated so much of the play during the first 45 minutes that they must surely have felt that they deserved to be ahead.

With only a minute of the second half gone, Battersby who had taken a knock at the end of the first was replaced by Vill Powell. This change seemed to be a turning point for Blues; the lively Powell seemed to inspire the other players and completely changed the course of the game.

In total contrast to the first half, it was now Saints defending as Blues laid siege to their goal, and it wasn’t long before Blues were in front. On 52 minutes Mitchell Cole was put through, he steadied and then slipped the ball under the advancing Saints keeper John Armand.

Two minutes later, and substitute Powell made it three for Blues, when he got on the end of a free-kick, and headed home at the far post.

As Saints, who were already struggling with Blues superior fitness, heads now went down, it was only going to be a matter of time before Grays scored again.

With only 14 minutes of the second half on the clock, Powell got his second and Blues fourth goal. Griffiths’ inch-perfect low cross from out on the right flank was met by Powell, who tapped the ball home.

Manager Mark Stimson then made his second substitution replacing Gary Hooper with recently signed Gavin Heeroo.

A couple of minutes later, Griffiths’ himself got on the score sheet. He dummied the keeper, and then slotted the ball into the empty net.

On 71 minutes Ade Olayinka then replaced Mitchell Cole, and at the same time St. Albans made a triple substitution; Saril, Gerber and Afoloyan replacing Parker, Seeby and Clarke.

With victory now secured, Blues took their ‘foot off the pedal’ a bit allowing Saints to score a second goal. A cross into the box found unmarked Thomas Beech leaving him the easy task of tapping the ball home.

The last quarter of an hour of the match, saw play more even, although Powell came close to getting a hat-trick right at the death, but was thwarted by Saints Scott Cousins.

So a well earned victory for Blues now sees them play Bishop’s Stortford in the next round at the Rec on 30th November, 2004.

Teams:-
St. Albans:- Armand, Hooper, Cousins, Marwa, Martin, Seeby, Wraight, Parker, Beech, Clarke, Walshe Subs:- Afolayan, Jackman, Smith, Saril, Riley
Grays Athletic:- Eyre, Bruce, Nutter, Robinson, Popovic, Hooper, Brennan, Carthy, Battersby, Griffiths, Cole Subs:- Powell, Emberson, Heeroo, Olayinka, Thurgood

Referee:- Paul Toyer

Attendance:- 140 approx.

Your comments

Another good result from Blues Well done lads keep up the good work

Great report Carol (or was it Al?!). A very fair reflection of the game as I saw it.

Well, Al took the notes, and I think he's starting to enjoy taking them. I wrote the report from his notes, and also from Phil O's and Al's overview of the match. I just forgot to put his name on, and when I realised it was so late I decided to leave amending it until today.

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