Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

Grays were denied a new Conference record for the best start to a season by a committed Accrington Stanley side which was both physically strong in defence and a handful up front. In an eventful match, Accrington were quick off the mark with the elusive Gary Roberts giving Andy Sambrook a torrid time down the left and skipper Paul Mullin showing all his experience in leading the line. Although the Blues seemed a little lethargic in the opening exchanges, referee Mr.M. Harris hardly endeared himself to the home fans when he first turned down a penalty when Jamie Slabber was hauled down in the box by Michael Welch and then only produced a yellow card when Robbie Williams pulled Dennis Oli to the ground when the Grays striker was put through clear on goal by skipper, Stuart Thurgood. Then the 4th official seemed to take exception to something said by Accrington’s manager, John Coleman, who was banished from the dug-out, much to the good-humoured amusement of most in Grays’ biggest crowd of the season.

The Lancastrians held the edge in open play and Mullin, David Brown and Welch all had chances to score but it wasn’t until the 36th minute that Accrington took the lead. A superb run by that man Roberts saw him glide past both Thurgood and Sambrook on the left to set up Paul Mullin who nudged the ball home.

In the second half, the Blues stepped up the tempo; this greater attacking urgency bore fruit in the 51st minute when Aaron McLean scampered down the right and delivered a telling cross for the hitherto subdued Michal Kightly to equalize. Accrington’s 19 year old Andrew Mangan was then introduced and although he was only on the field for 5 minutes he certainly left his mark on the game. In the 62nd minute he out-jumped Jamie Stuart and then crossed for Stephen Jagielka to rifle in the winner at the back post .His joy was, however, short-lived when he was yellow-carded for a rash lunge at McLean and than he then compounded his foolishness by kicking the ball away to receive his marching orders.

The Blues threw everything into the remaining minutes and John Nutter was unlucky to see a cross-shot flash agonizingly wide of the post. In the very last minute, Slabber beat the excellent keeper, Darren Randolf, only to see Phillip Edwards somehow deflect his goal-bound strike over the bar.

It must be said that Accrington deserved their victory but at the same time the Blues had their chances to get a draw. After the game both managers praised their respective opponents and felt that each would be in the hunt for one of the top spots come the end of the season.

Let us not forget how close we came to beating the record and pay tribute to a fantastic run of results by a group of players who have performed with such style! Come on you Blues!

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Sambrook, Nutter, Stuart, Angus, Thurgood, Martin, Kightly, McLean (Hooper 71), Oli, Slabber. Subs Not Used: Bayes, Matthews, Olayinka, Poole.

Booked: Sambrook.

Goals: Kightly 52.

Att: 1,985

Referee: Mr M Harris

Fans man of the Match: Michael Kightly

Stevland Angus takes control
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Heads I win
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Get your own ball mate
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Kightly celebrates his goal
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Forthcoming fixtures