Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

The Blues recorded an historic F.A.Cup victory at York’s Kit- Kat stadium to enter the 2nd round for the first time ever. The win was achieved with a devastating mix of terrific team spirit, individual flair and meticulous preparation by the coaching staff. The huge firework bangers that went off in the second half somewhere in the city only added to the feeling that this day was going to be something special. Make no mistake, this was not an easy place to come and get a result; nearly 3500 York fans were confident their team would prevail. Mark Stimson revealed after the game” I didn’t need to give the players a team talk. I just pinned up a page from the local newspaper which listed our faults and that was enough to give the players a lot of motivation.”

In the opening exchanges, Clayton Donaldson had a good shooting chance but delayed too long over his shot and the ball was cleared. Then in the 15th minute, a John Martin free-kick, needlessly conceded by Darren Dunning, was headed into his own net by striker Andy Bishop. On a heavy pitch, York tried to push forward, but were repelled by a well- organized Grays defence, brilliantly marshalled by Jamie Stuart. Towards the end of the half, a firm header by Joe O’Neill was expertly saved to his left by the Blues’s 19 year old keeper, Nicky Eyre, and a 12 yard shot from James Dudgeon smacked against the bar. But, it was not all one- way traffic as in between these efforts Dennis Oli could have scored with a header after being set up by his striking partner, Jamie Slabber.

In the 2nd half, York tried to increase the tempo but Grays, drawing on the confidence of their magnificent unbeaten run refused to buckle. In the 58th minute, the Blues stunned the home fans with a 2nd goal. A long ball out of defence was mis-judged by Dudgeon enabling Slabber to release Oli on the left; his cross was tamely cleared by the unfortunate Dudgeon to the predatory Slabber who made no mistake from close in. The York players visibly wilted and Grays, with their talismatic skipper Stuart Thurgood leading from the front, took a vice-like grip on the game. Chances fell to Oli and Michael Kightly but it took until the 87th minute for the Blues to register their 3rd goal. In another swift attack Slabber picked out sub, Glenn Poole, who side- stepped his marker and coolly slotted home. After the match, York’s manager, Billy McEwan berated his side’s defending but admitted that they couldn’t afford such lapses against a side as good as Grays.

For the travelling Blues fans this was a superb performance which will live long in the memory. Every Grays player, including the subs , contributed to this momentous victory; one now begins to wonder what this team can achieve if it stays together!

Goalscorers:
Andy Bishop 15 (og)
Jamie Slabber 58
Glenn Poole 87

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Sambrook, Stuart, Angus, Nutter, McLean (Hooper 74), Thurgood, Martin, Kightly, Oli (Poole 86), Slabber.
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Matthews, Olayinka

Booked: Sambrook, McLean, Thurgood

Att: 3,586

Referee: Mr R Desmond(Gloucestershire)

Fans Man of the Match:
Jamie Stuart

Kightly practicing for the Can Can?
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Stuart uses mind control on the ball
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Slabber tries the old velcro on the ball trick
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Group hug anyone???
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Forthcoming fixtures