Matches

BREWERS FA TROPHY CHANCES GONE FOR A BURTON by Carol Smith-Allen

Although most Blues fans were quietly confident that Grays would emerge as victors in this FA Trophy Semi-Final 1st Leg, I doubt many would have envisaged such an emphatic win over Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion, who until today had not conceded a single goal in this competition.

For the two thousand plus who packed out the New Rec it was an enthralling cup tie with Grays producing a classy and polished team performance to comfortably defeat a rather ordinary looking Conference National side.

With so much at stake both teams started nervously, and as such the first ten minutes of play lacked fluency, but both sides soon settled. An early chance for Grays fell to Tony Battersby but the striker’s volley flew just over the crossbar, and for Albion ex-professional Andy Ducros had two attempts at goal, the first blocked by a Blues defender, and the second an easy save for Ashley Bayes.

Darren Stride fouls Dennis Oli, giving away the free kick that opened the scoring for Grays. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Then in the 13th minute Grays took the lead. A Stuart Thurgood free kick, given for a foul on Dennis Oli was tapped short to Mitchell Cole who proceeded in despatching a spectacular twenty-three yard left footed curling shot over the Albion wall and keeper Dan Crane into the back of the net.

Immediately the tempo was upped and the visitors looked for a reply, but within minutes Grays had got a second goal. A long ball from Dean Brennan found Oli in the box, and as Ryan Austin and Crane stood stationary pondering which of them was going to clear, the fast Blues winger did not hesitate in sending a looping header over the keeper.

Blues celebrate Dennis Oli's first and Grays' second. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

As the half progressed any early nerves disappeared, and Grays became more composed and self-assured.

On eighteen minutes seventeen year old Gary Hooper saw his low twenty yard drive go narrowly wide and steadfast defending from the reliable Jamie Stuart kept Albion’s Andy Corbett at bay.

The visitors then had a little flurry with Skipper Darren Stride heading over the bar from a Ducros free kick, before Ducros himself hit a thirty yard volley, which Bayes saved at full stretch palming the ball around the post for a corner.

In the 35th minute Grays looked home and dry as they extended their lead further. Oli, who along with Cole had been causing Albion numerous problems, shook off his marker to connect with Stuart Thurgood’s long ball, and made a good run into the box where upon Austin in an attempt to regain ground clipped the winger’s heels conceding a penalty. Man of the Match Thurgood stepped up and calmly slotted the spot kick home.

Man of the Match Stuart Thurgood in jubilant mood after slotting home his penalty. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Two minutes later Blues almost made it four when Hooper’s high cross-shot looked to have found the back of the net when in fact it had been tipped over the bar by Crane.

Albion, known for their water tight defence that on this occasion were looking decidedly shaky, came out and started the second half firing on all cylinders. One can only surmise at what Nigel Clough said to motivate his players during the interval.

Within minutes of the restart Bayes was called into action producing a brilliant finger tip save from ex-Oldham Craig Dudley’s powerful twenty-five yard effort, and moments later the midfielder was again denied by the Grays keeper.

Blues then came close when Cole’s ferocious volley from a difficult angle smashed against the inside of the right-hand post.

Dudley was again thwarted when he connected with Dale Anderson’s cross but Bayes made another brilliant save from the midfielder’s point blank range header, and from the resultant corner Brennan cleared Barry Miller’s header off the line.

The omens weren’t looking good for the opposition and in particular Dudley; he got on the end of Jon Shaw’s cross only to see his close range volley clip the top of the bar.

At this point the direction of play changed, and on sixty-two minutes Cole squared the ball to Hooper who in turn laid it off for Oli, leaving the winger to fire home from close range. The Blues supporters already buoyant and in good voice were ecstatic.

A 2,000-strong crowd at the New Rec saw a great performance from Grays. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Grays then took total control of the match playing some attractive passing football, and ten minutes later got a fifth goal. Lee Matthews, the less noticeable but equally important half of the formidable duo that make up the centre of the Blues back line, got on the end of a Thurgood free kick at the far post, which had somehow eluded all the Albion players in the box to poke home for his second of the season.

The fifth goal from Lee Matthews put the tie almost beyond the reach of the Brewers. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Grays then made a double substitution replacing Hooper and Battersby with Steve West and Leroy Griffiths, and Burton brought on Michael Briscoe for Dale Anderson having earlier replaced Ducros and Sam Shilton with Chris Hall and Graham Ward.

Blues were now completely dominating play forcing a succession of corners, and Matthews saw a shot blocked with Brennan having one punched away by Crane. At the other end after a rare counter attack substitute Ward was denied by Bayes.

With so many excellent performances it is difficult to single out players, but Manager Mark Stimson summed things up with the following comment “ I thought we were tremendous. I truly believe my squad are second to none. As soon as we signed the Hornchurch players in November I knew it would give us that little bit more experience to make us the complete side. Right through the team from Ashley Bayes to Dennis Oli they gave everything. Our crowd were brilliant in their support and lifted the players. Now let’s enjoy the occasion and celebrate a magnificent victory.”

Stuart Thurgood collects his Man of the Match award. Photo: tgsphoto.co.uk

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Brennan, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood (c), Oli, Hooper, Battersby, Martin, Cole Subs:- West (used), Emberson, Griffiths (used), Bruce, Carthy
Burton Albion:- Crane, Webster, Stride (c), Anderson, Ducros, Shilton, Corbett, Dudley, Austin, Shaw, Miller Subs:- Kirkwood, Taylor, Hall (used), Briscoe (used), Ward (used)

Referee:- Mr. M. Russell

Attendance:- 2156

Headline provided by 'Birdy'

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