Matches

Match report by Martin Candler

Grays’ unbeaten away record was ended at the Christie Park stadium by a rampant Morecambe side. Not that the Blues didn’t create chances as Michael Kightly, twice, and Jamie Slabber had good opportunities in the first half but failed to get on the scoresheet. It must be said that the home side looked sharper throughout and took full advantage of some loose play by Grays. The Shrimps opened their account in the 22nd minute when Nathan Koo-Boothe failed to deal with a cross from the lively Wayne Curtis and Garry Thompson was on hand to ram the ball past Nicky Eyres in the Grays goal. After Curtis had hit the post with a curling shot, Thompson, after out-pacing John Nutter, set up Danny Carlton who scored from 8 yards. Skipper, Stuart Thurgood then cleared off the line from a Ged Brannan header with Eyres beaten.

Grays came out in th 2nd half in positive mood and Morecambe’s Jim Bentley made a desperate goal-line clearance which was then followed by sub Glenn Poole shooting wide. In the 57th minute Grays’ hopes were all but extinguished by Bentley who netted with a stunning volley that flashed past the despairing Eyres. Still Grays plugged away and both Aaron McLean and Johnny Martin had chances but it was Morecambe’s day, only marred by referee Mr Taylor who handed out 8 yellow cards in a rousing but fairly contested game. Mark Stimson said afterwards that he felt individual errors had proven costly for the Blues but was quick to admit that Morecambe deserved their victory. As ever a man with a proper perspective on life, Mark added that he wanted to give Jim Harvey, the Morecambe manager who is poorly at the moment, his best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Mawer (Matthews 45), Koo-Boothe, Stuart, Nutter, Hooper (Poole 45), Thurgood (Williamson 62), Martin, Kightly, McLean, Slabber.
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Olayinka.

Booked: Mawer, Thurgood, Nutter.

Att: 1,785

Referee: A Taylor (Manchester).

Fans Man of the Match: A. McLean

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