Matches

MATCH REPORT VS CRAWLEY TOWN (AWAY) by Carol Smith-Allen

A deserved victory at Broadfield Stadium on Saturday lifted Grays back to the top of the Conference National table, but did their opponents Crawley Town no favours dumping them into bottom spot.

Goals from Dennis Oli and Jamie Slabber, whose strike partnership is thriving, secured the points for Blues in an entertaining match against a side who belie their current league position.

Although play on the pitch began on an even keel off field activity didn?t; the Blues fans were at their absolute best ? very loud, deafening in fact!! However, their spirits were dampened a little on twelve minutes when the home side took the lead. Awarded for a foul on Andy Lindegaard, Simon Wormull curled the twenty yard free-kick into the top corner of the net giving Nicky Eyre no chance.

Two minutes later Grays had a great opportunity to equalize, but although Slabber had beaten Town keeper Phil Smith, having been put through by Oli, his shot went inches wide of the upright.

Blues had chances during the first half but it was the hosts who had more of the possession and looked the more likely to score again, and had it not been for some wayward shooting they may well have done.

Steve Burton could have made it two when he burst through the middle, holding off Cam Mawer as he went, but was let-down by his final touch blasting over the crossbar. Wormull, playing with a minor injury then set-up Chris Giles from another free-kick, but the defender directed his header just wide.

For Blues Oli?s close range header was saved by Smith, and Hooper?s shot from an acute angle went narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Crawley still had the upper hand and in the 30th minute the home side were awarded another free kick which Wormull duly stepped up to take, but fortunately Blues were spared a repetition of the one taken earlier, and this time the ball was deflected off the Grays wall and gratefully caught by Eyre.

Although Grays had created far fewer chances than their opponents, they added weight to the saying ?its quality not quantity? when with four minutes of normal time left Slabber grabbed the equalizer. A shot from Glenn Poole was only partially cleared by Smith and Slabber was on hand to poke the lose ball home.

A few words from Mark Stimson during the interval certainly did the trick, and as the second half progressed Grays went from strength to strength.

An early chance for Blues fell to Hooper but he was denied by Smith, as was Brennan moments later, and at the other end Eyre cut out a ball before Cade could even get a shot in.

Giles was booked for a foul on Poole, and Blues looking much more composed than in the first half were really beginning to take control of proceedings with some excellent passing play.

Around the hour mark Grays made their first substitution replacing Poole with Bertie Brayley, and two minutes later brought on Michael Kightly for Hooper.

The opposition still had some chances, one of which was squandered by Wormull who shot wide, having been put through by Wade. Had it been on target it would have been disallowed as the linesman had already signalled for offside.

Crawley suffered a blow when the prominent Wormull?s back problem became too much for him and as a result he was replaced by Lee Blackburn.

Things then deteriorated further for the home side, as in the very next minute Blues took the lead; a brilliant reverse pass from Slabber set-up Oli, who remaining as calm as the proverbial cucumber gave a little shimmy before placing the ball under Smith?s body. The Grays fans behind Smith?s goal were jubilant and rubbed salt into Crawley?s wounds by reminding them of their current predicament with their chants of ?going down, going down!!?

The home side promptly made another change replacing Giles with Lee Elam, and Wormull was subsequently named as Man of the Match much to the amusement of most Blues fans who felt the accolade should have been bestowed upon Oli or Thurgood. There was no denying though that Wormull had been the host?s most dangerous weapon causing Grays a few problems around the box in the first half.

Crawley came very close to getting the all important equalizer in the 43rd minute when Lindegaard?s corner was met with a crunching header by skipper Ian Simpemba, but Thurgood having an outstanding game cleared the ball off the line.

Then with the next move Blues put the result beyond doubt. A long ball up field found the quick footed Oli who easily shook off Blackburn to fire home from the edge of the area.

After the match Manager Mark Stimson commented ?We had a chat at half time and got some belief in the players. We told them to play it to our front two who are very good at this level.?

?The link-up for the second was superb. It was a great reverse pass and Dennis Oli showed great composure.?

?Stuart Thurgood was absolutely outstanding in the centre of the park. His desire to get around the pitch, pass the ball, make tackles and win in the air was a pleasure to watch.?

The Grays Manager also paid tribute to his counterpart, Frances Vines and his team. ?That was a fantastic goal by Wormull worthy of the Premier League. Crawley caused us a few problems, they?re a good side. I am sure they will be where they want to be by the end of the season.?

?Frances is a good manager and I?m sure he?ll turn the corner from the blip they are having? he added.

Vines was a little less generous in his comments about Grays ?That was a flattering result for Grays and they are no better than anyone else. They took their chances and we missed ours ? that?s the difference.?

Teams:-
Crawley Town:- (4-4-2) Smith, Giles (Elam 78), Simpemba, Woozle7y, Opinel, Cade, Armstrong, Wormull (Blackburn 74), Lindegaard, Clare, Burton Subs not used:- Ward, Ekoku, Douglas

Grays Athletic:- (4-4-2) Eyre, Nutter, Stuart, Thurgood, Oli, Hooper (Kightly 65), Brennan, Stevland, Mawer, Poole (Brayley 62), Slabber (Olayinka 90) Subs not used:- Bayes, Matthews

Referee:- Graham Horword

Attendance:- 1,471

Supporters Man Of The Match:- Dennis Oli (77.7%)

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