Matches

GRAYS SINK U'S BOAT by Carol Smith-Allen

Grays secured their place in the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy at Gander Green Lane yesterday by defeating Sutton United two nil. As anticipated, it was a hard fought encounter against the in form U’s who have won their last six matches, but based on their second half performance Blues thoroughly deserved their victory.

Blues, again with Steve Robinson in for the injured Lee Matthews and Vill Powell starting as opposed to Leroy Griffiths, dominated the first twenty minutes of play and the home side found theirselves pegged back in their own half.

Grays squandered several early chances. Firstly, Dennis Oli’s through ball was met by Vill Powell but the striker shot tamely at keeper Phil Wilson’s legs. A minute later, this time having been set-up by Robinson, who had settled after a shaky start, Powell when through on goal mis-kicked the ball. Then the impressive Dean Brennan crossed the ball in, but the advancing John Martin could not quite get on the end of it.

Around the twenty minute mark the home side began to get into the game with play evening out, and they came close when Craig Watkins raced onto Joff Vansittart’s flicked header, but with only Ashley Bayes to beat the midfielder’s fierce shot crashed against the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards Watkins came close again, but his bicycle kick went just wide of the upright. Blues then took the ball straight to the other end where Joe Bruce’s precision pass found Powell lurking in the box but the forward blasted his shot over the bar.

Then it was the turn of the opposition again. From a partially cleared corner, Fear crossed the ball for Vansittart, who was causing Blues a few problems in the air, to head down but Bayes pulled off an excellent diving save low to his left.

As the interval approached, Brennan’s 20 yard strike was parried by Wilson, allowing him another chance but his second effort was straight at the keeper.

Grays came out looking more determined after the break, and with just five minutes of the second period gone Powell shot narrowly wide from John Martin’s cross.

However, what really influenced the match came from the most unfortunate incident. In the 54th minute Steve West clashed with a U’s player sustaining a bad gash to his head, as a result of which he could take no further part in the game and Leroy Griffiths took his place, and quickly made an impact.

Two minutes later Blues took the lead from a clever set-piece, whilst the home defence were slow to react. Martin played a corner short to Brennan, who crossed to Stuart Thurgood at the far post; the Grays Skipper then chipped the ball back in to Oli who headed home.

U’s Chris Nurse then tried his luck from 25 yards, but sent his shot at least a foot over the bar, and then Fear was cautioned for a deliberate foul on steadfast defender Jamie Stuart.

On 68 minutes, Grays made their second substitution with Gary Hooper replacing the ineffective Powell, and Sutton made their first and only substitution bringing on Glenn Boosey at the expense of Nurse.

With 16 minutes of normal time remaining substitutes Hooper and Griffiths combined to secure the tie. Hooper made a great run down the right, and crossed for Griffiths who slotted the ball into the back of the net at the near post.

The home side then applied some late pressure with Vansittart shooting wide, and both Corbett and Boosey blasting over. Lewis Gonsalves had the best opportunity to reduce the deficit, when well placed in the six yard box, but Blues eventually managed to scramble the ball to safety.

Grays fans now eagerly await Monday’s 4th Round Draw to see who Blues face and where on Saturday 5th February, 2005.

Teams:-
Sutton United:- Wilson, Booth, Gonsalves, Nurse, Scarborough, Corbett, Watkins, Honey, Fear, Brake, Vansittart Subs:- Boosey ( for Nurse 72 mins), Tydeman, Dray
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Bruce, Nutter, Stuart, Robinson, Thurgood, Brennan, Oli, Powell, West, Martin Subs:- Hooper (for Powell 68 mins), Emberson, Cole, Griffiths (for West 55 mins)

Referee:- Mr. A. Laver

Attendance:- 544

Headline provided by 'diddle'.

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