Matches

MATCH REPORT VS HUCKNALL TOWN (FA TROPHY FINAL) BY Carol Smith-Allen

There could be no better way to end what has been a truly spectacular season than to return from Villa Park with the FA Trophy. It wasn’t the easy victory that many of the hordes of Grays’ supporters who made the journey up the M1 on Sunday morning had anticipated. Conference North side Hucknall Town most definitely gave Blues a run for their money, and as the match progressed it became ever more likely that the tie would be decided by a penalty shoot-out, all adding to the excitement of this high profile occasion.

Despite containing only a fraction of its capacity, 8116 to be precise, Villa Park was rocking and in particular The Doug Ellis Stand – decked out in varying shades of Blue and waving flags not to mention the foam hands the Grays fans were at their best. Pre-match festivities saw the players throwing their Trophy T-Shirts into the crowd, and Show Me The Way To ‘Aston Villa’, and ‘We Are The Champions’ being belted out with plenty of flag waving and clapping to boot. Yes, no doubt about it Grays Athletic were in town!!

Having left the field for a short while, the players returned accompanied by the Mascots and the noise was deafening. After the National Anthem the Mascots left the pitch, a last team hug and then quite unbelievably the long awaited moment had arrived.

Not surprisingly with so much at stake, and performing on the big stage both teams started nervously but soon settled. Blues applied early pressure but Mitchell Cole’s low drive was easily saved by the capable Hucknall keeper Greg Smith, and the midfielder's subsequent shot, having been set-up by Tony Battersby went narrowly wide.

Gary Hooper, having also been denied by ex-Bury keeper Smith was then in action at the other end, crucially putting Danny Bacon’s cross out for a corner as winger Andy Todd approached.

Although Grays continued to have the upper hand the ‘under the weather’ Battersby and Oli were having little impact. In fact it was clearly evident that Hucknall Player/Manager Dean Barrick had done his job well, his defence sitting deep to ensure that Oli had as little space as possible.

Around the quarter of an hour mark the pacy Cole raced down the left flank turned his marker Alistair Asher inside out, and crossed the ball for Battersby who was lurking at the far post. However, the Blues striker was thwarted by Russell Cooke who conceded the corner.

Chances for Hucknall were scarce but on nineteen minutes they had a good opportunity when Todd slipped past Dean Brennan with far too much ease, and crossed to Gary Ricketts who in turn flicked the ball on for Danny Bacon but his fellow striker blasted over the crossbar.

Minutes later Grays came close when Skipper Stuart Thurgood’s twenty-two yard curled free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar, and then Blues had their best chance of the half. John Martin got on the end of Brennan’s long ball controlled it using his chest, and then unleashed a brilliant left-footed volley but Smith produced an excellent finger tip save to deny the energetic midfielder.

With thirty minutes played an unfortunate incident occurred. A challenge by Hooper on Barrick, which clearly bore no malice resulted in the Player/Manager hitting the deck. Whilst he was receiving treatment Referee Mr. Dowe was quite happy for play to continue, but it soon became apparent that the injury sustained was more serious than at first thought, and Grays put the ball out of play. The Hucknall Manager was subsequently stretchered off, and it was later confirmed that he had broken his leg in several places. Substitute Michael Plummer filled the vacant defensive position.

John Martin and Cole, who was making some superb runs down the left flank continued to play well and Lee Matthews was outstanding for Grays at the back. Never more so than in the 38th minute when he showed what a first class defender he is by ‘flying’ across the box just in the nick of time to intercept Mark Smith’s goal bound effort conceding the corner. A heart stopping moment for Blue’s fans.

Shortly afterwards Smith, who was causing Grays some minor problems headed wide.

The last few minutes of the first period saw Town mount a late flurry, but the men in yellow and black were unable to capitalise.

Hucknall began the second half looking sharper than in the first, and it could be sensed that having gone into the break level the underdogs now really believed they could win this tie. Their early attacks saw Ricketts heading over, and Bayes making an easy save from Bacon’s low drive. Whilst at the other end Cole blazed over the bar for Blues.

In the 60th minute Grays made their first substitution replacing Battersby with Steve West, and four minutes later the Conference South Champions took the lead although not by their usual method. A long kick by Bayes found Oli on the edge of the Hucknall penalty area, and a defensive muddle enabled the striker to knock the ball into the path of the on-rushing John Martin who with total composure slotted the ball past Smith. Immediately the Doug Ellis Stand erupted as Grays fans jumped up and down with joy.

With just over twenty minutes of the first half remaining it could have been two had Smith not produced a brilliant save from Oli’s twenty-five yard dipping volley, and then punched away Thurgood’s close range effort from a partially cleared corner.

Just when a second for Blues looked to be on the cards they had the wind taken out of their sails as Hucknall equalized. The normally resolute Jamie Stuart who was looking a bit ‘out of salts’ due to illness failed to clear the ball allowing Ricketts to pass him and subsequently give Nutter the slip. The big striker whipped the ball into the near post where Bacon was waiting, and despite last ditch attempts by both Matthews and Brennan to clear the forward poked the ball past Bayes. Now it was the turn of the Hucknall supporters to cheer as Grays fans stood aghast in stunned disbelief.

Hucknall now had renewed hope, and I probably along with the majority of Gray’s fans had this horrible feeling in my stomach.

The game now swung like a pendulum from end to end, and the atmosphere was electric. Todd got the better of Brennan but Matthews made another vital clearance, and Vill Powell who proved to be ineffective replaced the hobbling Oli.

Cole went close for Blues but was denied by keeper Smith, and Hucknall pushed forward with Mark Smith prominent.

At the end of normal time good interplay by Matthews and West set-up Powell but the striker sliced his shot well wide, and then right at the death another heart stopping moment. A free kick just outside the area was awarded to Hucknall for a foul by Stuart on Ricketts. Taken by Roy Hunter the ball skimmed just over the crossbar and Grays’ fans heaved a sigh of relief.

Extra time came and went – a bit of a weary affair really with both sets of players looking tired.

With a few minutes of the first period gone Hucknall replaced Steve Palmer with 39 year old defender Mike Heathcote, and then substitute Powell almost got on the end of West’s clever back-flick following a great run and cross by Cole.

Grays continued to take the initiative and minutes later with Hucknall struggling to clear their lines a superb cross from Hooper was met by West but the striker’s headed shot went fractionally over the bar much to his dismay.

With Mark Stimson looking remarkably calm but pensive back came Hucknall. Firstly, a back header by Ricketts caused a tense moment for Grays fans but Bayes made the necessary save, and then later a good one two by Todd and Ricketts created a golden opportunity for the former, who could possibly have done better but Bayes was equal to the task.

In between the Hucknall attacks Cole saw his stinging volley deflected off Smith for a corner.

As the second period of extra time began the Grays fans rose to their feet and gave the team everything they had got in terms of vocal support.

West came close on 109 minutes but was denied by Smith, and three minutes later a great cross from Nutter found Hooper unmarked at the back post but the teenager headed wide from close range.

Extra time was taking its toll on the Hucknall side with several players suffering from cramp, and with only a few minutes remaining Hooper became the second player to be stretchered off, after he was clattered to the ground by Todd, for which the midfielder was subsequently cautioned. Disaster for Hooper but an opportunity for the faithful Martin Carthy.

Not surprisingly Hucknall keeper Greg Smith, who had kept his side in the match many times, was named Man of the Match although surely John Martin and Lee Matthews must have been in the running.

At 12.30pm who could have envisaged that a penalty shoot-out would be required to decide the 2004/05 FA Trophy Final?

Mark Stimson huddled together with his men and gave words of encouragement, no doubt something along the lines of ‘just do your best and whatever the outcome you have done the club proud.’

Grays won the toss and chose to go first. Bayes and his opposite number Greg Smith hugged, and then the ‘dreaded’ penalty shoot-out commenced.

The tension within Villa Park mounted, and despite the players appearing calm and collected it was too nerve-wrecking for some Blues fans (this was nail biting stuff!) Many shielded their eyes with their hands and some even retreated to areas where it was impossible to watch.

Captain Stuart Thurgood stepped up to take the first penalty kick, and shot hard just to Smith’s right – superb.

Assistant Manager Roy Hunter, who had been in charge of proceedings following the early exit of Dean Barrick was first up for Hucknall. Bayes reacted quickly diving to his right to make the save. Blues fans were delighted.

John Martin kept Grays in front with a fantastic penalty. An unstoppable high left-footed strike to Smith’s left who incidentally had move to his right.

Substitute Heathcote took Hucknall’s second blasting just to Bayes’ left and sending the Grays keeper the wrong way.

With the next shot Grays’ advantage was wiped out. Vill Powell, not looking anywhere nearly as confident as Thurgood and Martin sent his powerful strike just to Smith’s right and the Hucknall keeper guessed correctly and made the save. The Town contingent were jubilant – they were back in with a chance.

Andy Todd then produced a great penalty curling the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

So with it all square the pressure was back on, but Mitchell Cole looking nerveless coolly slotted the ball home.

Luck was on Hucknall’s side as substitute Ward slipped and mis-kicked the ball but somehow it just found its way into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

John Nutter stepped up confidently to take Blue’s fifth penalty blasting the ball straight down the middle, and Bacon followed calmly slotting the ball into the top right-hand corner for Town.

With it now being sudden death the pressure was really on, and as a result the tension again grew, reaching its highest level of the afternoon. Just one slip by a player or one brilliant save by either keeper and it would all be over, and one set of supporters would be ecstatic and the other set devasted – it was almost too cruel.

Dean Brennan made it five for Blues with a powerful strike into the roof of the net, and Ricketts stepped forward for Hucknall. For a split second it appeared to be all over as the striker’s shot was initially blocked by Bayes’ legs only to then slide under the keeper into the net. Bayes looked understandably frustrated and Ricketts showed his relief by patting his chest.

It was then the turn of late substitute Martin Carthy, and the experienced midfielder wasted no time in despatching a fierce strike into the back of the net, although it did take a deflection off of Smith on its way.

And then in the blink of an eye it was all over. Cook sent a low drive to Bayes’ right, and the Grays keeper chose correctly and saved. Absolute devastation for Cook, the Hucknall players, Officials and fans alike, but at the other end of the spectrum sheer ecstasy for everyone associated with Grays Athletic.

The Grays players stormed down field to congratulate ‘mental’ Ashley, and there was no holding back the fans either as hundreds sprinted onto the pitch......................and the party had only just begun!

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