Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler.

In an eye-catching display the Blues moved within a game of equalling the Conference best start to a season. This was a composed and fluent performance which dumped a shell-shocked Scarborough side to the bottom of the table. Perhaps the only blemish was some profligate finishing which could prove costly against better opposition. Aaron McLean twice shot wastefully wide in the opening 20 minutes, chances created by the mercurial Dennis Oli. However, many Grays fans feel that all Aaron needs is a goal as his all-action style gives Grays something extra.

A good shout for penalty when Michael Coulson?s cross hit the hand of John Martin but the appeal was turned down by referee Fred Graham. Then a Ben Rix header was deflected away for a corner by the alert Jamie Stuart.

Then in the 27th minute, Jamie Slabber combined with that man Oli to fire a powerful cross-shot past the despairing Scadog?s keeper, Leigh Walker. In the first half Oli, Martin, Glenn Poole and Slabber all missed chances but it was in the second half that Grays cut loose.

At the start of the 2nd half, McLean had a penalty claim turned down and then hit the keeper with a stinging shot. Grays were not putting the pressure on and it was no surprise when in the 52nd minute Oli shook off Simon Weaver and struck the post with a venomous shot but Poole, following up, side-footed home. Weaver and the subdued Mark Quayle had headers which came to nothing, as did a close range effort by Poole at the other end.

A patient build-up involving several players saw Grays? outstanding skipper, Stuart Thurgood, feint to shoot but instead cleverly slipped the ball to Martin whose cross was dug out from between his feet by Gary Hooper and he poke home the Blues 3rd goal. Two more subs, Michel Kightly and Ade Olayinka then combined for Knightly to stroke the ball in to open his account in a Blues shirt. In extra time a debatable penalty was coolly converted by Thurgood to complete what was a thoroughly comprehensive win.

After the game Scarborough?s beleaguered manager, Nick Henry said ?We are struggling at the moment and were forced to field 3 teenagers. The transfer window hasn?t helped. But all credit to Grays who showed what a good team they are. ?Mark Stimson was understandably elated and thought that this was the Blues best 90 minutes this season. He said ?We scored 5 goals from all over the park and also kept our 1st clean sheet since the Hereford game. I put Andy Sambrook in today because Cameron Mawer has done a great job for us and has worked extremely hard but he is still a young lad and I thought a rest would be good for him. As far as the Conference record goes we?ve put ourselves in a great position and if we continue to work hard we have a great chance.

Grays Team
Eyre, Sambrook, Nutter, Stuart, Angus, McLean, Thurgood, Martin, Poole,
Oli, Slabber. Subs ? Bayes, Matthews, Kightly used, Hooper used, Olayinka used.

Referee ? F Graham

Goalscorers:
Slabber 26
Poole 52
Hooper 68
Kightly 81
Thurgood 90 (pen)

Attendance: 1515

Fans Man of the Match:
Jamie Slabber

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