Matches

ROCKS CRUMBLE UNDER BLUES BLITZ by Carol Smith-Allen

The majority of Grays fans seemed confident that Blues would emerge victors in this much awaited clash with third in the table Bognor Regis Town. I wonder though how many envisaged that Blues would defeat the Rocks with so much panache, and by such a wide margin.

The match started at a very lively pace, and right from the outset Blues were having the majority of the possession and pushing forward looking for the opener.

With just eleven minutes on the clock, Blues took the lead. A cross from Mitchell Cole out on the flank was met by Hooper, who toe-poked it home from close range.

Minutes later the Rocks had the opportunity to equalise when Richard Hudson was through on goal, although looking decidedly offside, but shot well wide anyway. The referee, Mr. Crouch, then received a considerable amount of flack from the Blues fans, and no doubt would have got more had the Rocks scored.

So with a much higher than usual crowd at the Rec combined with the opportunity for Grays to go top of the league, the atmosphere was very noisy and also a little tense.

However, in the 21st minute Blues extended their lead, when John Nutter’s cross was flicked in at the far post by recent signing Steve West.

Two minutes later and Grays made it three. A Cole free-kick six yards from the by-line totally evaded the Bognor defence, and curled into the top left-hand corner of the net. The Rocks looked for a reply, but were again caught offside.

Just after the half an hour mark, Blues came close to getting a fourth when West’s wicked long shot went narrowly wide of the near post.

Good defending by Blues kept the Rocks at bay, and in particular by Jamie Stuart, although Conference South top scorer Luke Nightingale had the chance to reduce the arrears seven minutes before the interval but blasted over the bar.

On 43 minutes Blues made their first substitution replacing Mitchell Cole, who appeared to have taken a knock, with Dennis Oli.

Moments before the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the first period, the Bognor Manager was heard muttering ‘this is embarrassing!’

The second half started with Blues again dominating play, but at no time did the Bognor players heads go down; they continued to compete and to try and get forward.

On 53 minutes Grays came close but were denied by Rock’s keeper Marc Torcaso, who made an excellent save from Dean Brennan’s half-volley. However, five minutes later Bognor centre-back Kevin Murphy climbed all over Vill Powell, and Blues Captain Stuart Thurgood despatched the resultant penalty just past the keeper into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Shortly afterwards Bognor made their first substitution bringing on Matt Russell for Nightingale, and then Warren Hunt replaced Ben Watson.

Throughout the second period the young Blues fans sang their hearts out, and showed no mercy to Hornchurch Manager Garry Hill, who was watching the match from the seated area above the dugouts. Lines included ‘Hornchurch whip round’, ‘Are you watching Garry Hill?’, and something to do with bouncing cheques!! It has to be said though that Garry Hill took all of this in good spirit, and appeared to find it quite amusing.

On 70 minutes Grays Manager Mark Stimson made his second substitution introducing Tony Battersby at the expense of Steve West, who has quickly become a fans favourite, and received a loud applause as he left the pitch.

Two minutes later, Bognor in a bid to salvage some pride, made their third substitution replacing Jodey Rowlands with David Birmingham. They still tried to break, and resorted to the odd long ball in a bid to do so, but for the most found themselves having to defend.

Blues fifth goal came in the 80th minute, when substitute Oli turned on the by-line and his cross was headed home at the far post by fellow substitute Battersby.

Despite having a five goal lead Grays continued to attack right up until ‘the death’, and two minutes before the end a free-kick was tipped onto the post by Torcaso, the rebound fell to Powell whose shot was blocked, leaving Oli to thump the loose ball into the back of the net.

At the final whistle there were jubilant scenes amongst the Blues fans, as Grays now sit proudly and deservedly at the top of the league.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood (c), Brennan, Hooper, Powell, West, Cole Subs:- Carthy, Barrett, Battersby (for West 70 mins), Robinson, Oli (for Cole 43 mins)
Bognor Regis Town:- Torcaso, Piper(c), Moore, Howell, Breach, Murphy, Hudson, Rutherford, Watson, Nightingale, Rowlands Subs:- Birmingham (for Rowlands on 72 mins) Russell (for Nightingale 64 mins), Hunt (for Watson on 68 mins), Wright

Referee:- Mr. Crouch

Attendance:- 463

Your comments

Superb! We were a credit to our level of the game with some really incisive play and good defending when it was needed. Also good to see a few more fans who will surely return if we continue to play with such purpose and flair.

Great stuff once again from Blues we really are playing some delightful football the crowd figures surely must continue to rise with these sort of peformances Great football plenty of goals what more could football fans want well done Blues continue the march to the Conference we are certainly good enough

What a game! If we play like this at Hornchurch on Saturday I think we might be able to seal the Confernce South champions spot!

Forget Purfock GRAYS ATH are the team of the borough,I have supported them through the bad times and the good times,now we are approaching the great times.On Tuesday night it was a privelidge to be at the Rec. Bring on Horchurch we have nothing to fear. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!

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