Matches

MATCH REPORT VS CHARLTON ATHLETIC by Carol Smith-Allen

Having tinkered with team selection at the start of the friendlies Mark Stimson now seems to have settled on his best eleven ready for Blues first match in the Conference National, and they turned in another reassuring performance yesterday against a Charlton XI at the New Rec.

Blues started the brighter of the two sides, but play soon evened out and it was Charlton who had the first scoring opportunity. In the 11th minute Ali John despatched a high shot just over the bar, but a very vocal Ashley Bayes had it covered anyway.

However, having found it a little difficult to penetrate the Charlton defence it was in fact Grays who drew first blood. With twenty-five minutes played a fluent move involving Tony Battersby and Gary Hooper set up Glenn Poole who poked the ball home at the far post.

The visitors immediately looked for a reply, and just before the half an hour mark made their first substitution replacing Kevin Lisbie with James Walker.

Poole then came close to getting a second, but saw his 23 yard free kick go narrowly wide of the left-hand post, and moments later Walker shot over for the visitors.

In the 37th minute Battersby got on the end of an precision cross by Nutter to powerfully head home what would have been an absolutely cracking goal had it not been disallowed for offside. Battersby then turned provider setting up Hooper but the hard-working teenager blasted over the bar.

As the interval approached Charlton squandered a good opportunity to equalize; from Lee Snodin?s corner Kelly Youga had a free header and possibly could have done better but nodded the ball straight at the grateful Bayes.

The second half started as the first had finished at a very fast pace, but in contrast it was Charlton who initially took control. However, the Grays back line with Nutter and Matthews prevalent kept the visitors at bay, and it was from a long Bayes clearance that Blues increased their lead. Hooper collected the ball and deftly lobbed Charlton keeper Rob Elliott ? a truly great goal, and within a minute Grays had made it three when ex-Southend player Michael Kightly fired home from Stuart Thurgood?s quickly taken twenty yard free kick from the edge of the box.

In the 62nd minute Charlton responded; John went racing down the left flank, rounded Nutter and then slotted the ball past Bayes who had no chance.

This goal seemed to be a catalyst for Blues and for the remainder of the half the visitors didn?t get a look in as Grays totally engulfed them. Keeper Rob Elliott suddenly became the busiest player on the pitch, first denying Nutter, then Stuart Thurgood and thirdly Michael Kightly. In between Poole blasted over, as did Kightly and then four minutes before the final whistle Hooper, having had a superb game was replaced by Aaron McLean.

Right at the death Poole came close for Blues but his twelve yard strike was deflected for a corner.

After the match Manager Mark Stimson said ?I thought it was a great workout for us. We played some terrific football at times and to score three goals was pleasing. We now look forward to the week ahead, and will train hard on Monday and Tuesday have Wednesday off, but will train again on Thursday and Friday.?

He also commented ?I decided to rest Dennis Oli and Jamie Slabber after they both received minor knocks but they will be back in training on Monday. Of Slabber he said ?what can you say he?s scored five goals in four games!?

The Grays Manager confirmed that Cameron Mawer has now recovered from mumps hence he was on the bench today, but that Sam Wright as feared has broken his fibula and will be in plaster for three weeks after which his leg will be looked at again. He also confirmed that he was disappointed that Ahmed Dean had signed for Aldershot Town, but that the Hampshire club had made the player a better offer financially.

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Bayes, Sambrook, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood (c), Kightly, Hooper, Battersby, Martin, Poole Subs:- McLean (used), Eyre, Williamson, Olayinka, Bruce, Mawer

Charlton Athletic:- Elliott, Wilson, Ashton, Snodin, Sankofa, Youga, John, Phillips, Bartlett, Lisbie, Weston Subs:- Walker, Cotterill, Robson

Referee:- Mr. Graham Monk

Forthcoming fixtures