Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler.

Grays equaled Kettering?s 15- match unbeaten run from the start of the season with a magnificent performance in blustery conditions and against a fired-up home side. This young Grays side showed silky skills allied to a solid work ethic, which literally blew last season?s Conference North champions away. In the first minute, a header across goal by the lively Aaron McLean saw Dennis Oli shoot wide when well placed. Then Oli slipped the ball to Michael Kightly, included in the line-up after impressing (and scoring) in recent games. He cut across the area and unleashed a terrific shot into the top corner of the net to put the Blues into the lead after just 6 minutes.

Grays were now in control and a patient build- up involving skipper Stuart Thurgood and Kightly freed Jamie Slabber who fired wide. Not to be denied, in another sweet move, Johnny Martin jinxed his way into the area and slid an inch-perfect pass for Slabber to make no mistake this time by clinically side-footing home. Grays classy football produced chances for Oli and Kightly but neither could find the net. Mention must be made of a piece of breath-taking skill by the increasingly assured Stevland Angus who, hemmed in on the touch-line, dropped his shoulder, spun and completely bamboozled his marker to the rapturous approval of the purring Blues fans who had made the long journey North. Good saves by home custodian Steve Dickinson kept out efforts by John Nutter and Thurgood. Just before half time, home fans claimed a penalty for handball after Kevin Leadbetter fell in the area but referee Mr Mark Haywood waved play on.

The 2nd half began with Grays looking for a 3rd goal, which, surely, would have finished the match off. First, England International, Earl Davis produced a fine block after good play by McLean and Andy Sambrook. Then came a controversial decision by referee Haywood. A mesmerizing run and cross by Oli was met by a fierce shot from the marauding Sambrook. From the resulting corner, a firm header by McLean was saved by Dickinson but Blues fans behind the goal were convinced the ball was over the line but referee Haywood gave the goalie the benefit of the doubt. Oli, yet again, produced a bit of magic to feed Kightly but Dickinson stopped his shot.

New signing Nick Rogan, making his debut after joining in mid-week from Lancaster City, gave Southport renewed hope when he drilled a cross shot past Grays keeper, Nick Eyre, in the 59th minute. The Sandgrounders then had their best spell of the game but Grays refused to buckle and in the 66th minute defender Jamie Stuart, personified Grays fighting spirit when, from a Sambrook free kick, he launched himself to score with a brave header to re-establish a 2-goal advantage to the Blues. Soon after, a sickening clash of heads between Southport defenders Davis and Chris Lane, which required stitches for both players, resulted in only Davis able to carry on.

For the remaining minutes, the only surprise was that Grays managed just a single further goal. This came after Oli, having just being denied by Dickinson, chased down a back pass and forced a hurried clearance towards sub Gary Hooper who raced forward, cleverly touched the ball past the on-rushing keeper and netted number 4.At the whistle those Southport fans still left in the ground sportingly applauded what was a master class by Mark Stimson?s fine side. Mark said after the game ?They deserve to equal the record, let?s beat it when we play Accrington Stanley in a couple of weeks! These lads are all full-time but from July1 to August14 all but four of our 20-man squad came in to train every day without pay because their contracts only run from the start of the season. That?s how dedicated they are.? Southport?s manager, Liam Watson, paid tribute to the Blues by saying that they were the best side he has seen in Non-League football. He added that their movement was phenomenal showing speed, strength and fitness.

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Sambrook, Stuart, Angus, Nutter, McLean (Olayinka 85), Thurgood, Martin, Kightly (Poole 74), Oli, Slabber (Hooper 75).
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Matthews.
Booked: Martin

Scorers:
Grays:
Kightly (7)
Slabber (22)
Stuart (67)
Hooper (87)

Fans Man of the Match:
Michael Kightly

Southport:
Rogan (60)

Att: 1,148

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