Grays Athletic 1 Aldershot Town 1 (Away) (FA Trophy 1st Round)
Sat, December 17, 2005. Kick off: 3:00 PM
Match report by Martin Candler
The Blues came away from the Rec. with a hard-fought draw against an Aldershot side enjoying a rich run of recent form. For their part, Grays were without the suspended trio of skipper, Stuart Thurgood, Andy Sambrook and Jamie Slabber. Full of experienced campaigners, it soon became clear that Aldershot had decided to disrupt Grays’ passing game, amply illustrated by an early booking for the old warhorse Steve Watson. Former Shot, Aaron McLean seemed to receive particular attention throughout the match but it was his own team- mate, Joe Bruce, who gave him the biggest thump when their heads collided going for the same ball! After prolonged treatment, both players were able to continue, albeit with Bruce swathed in a head-bandage.
In the first half, Grays held the edge with Michael Kightly going close after a mazy dribble and Johnny Martin hitting the post at the end of a slick move. Aldershot’s Nick Crittenden and Ashley Vincent failed to convert half-chances and Nicky Eyre did well to hold on to a deflected Tinnion free-kick. Just before the break, the Blues stunned the home crowd when Kightly lashed the ball into the net after Martin’s shot had rebounded to him off the post.
Five minutes after the re-start, a clever run into the box by the influential Gary Holloway was halted by ex-Shot John Nutter, whose tackle was adjudged worthy of a penalty by referee, Mr R.Shoebridge. Most Blues fans thought it was a harsh decision as they felt Holloway went down a little too easily! Darren Barnard made no mistake from the spot to equalise. Aldershot then began to pile on the pressure; Eyre brilliantly tipped over a 25 yarder from John Brough and Holloway poked wide from eight yards. However, Grays still carried a goal threat creating several half-chances and defending valiantly to the end. Only a straight red card awarded to Stevland Angus in the closing minutes marred a courageous display by the Blues which gave them a well-earned replay on Tuesday.
Grays Athletic: Eyre, Nutter, Stuart, Bruce, Angus, Poole, McLean, Martin, Kightly (Hooper 51, Mawer 84), Williamson, Oli
Subs not used: Bayes, Matthews, Olayinka
Goalscorer:
Kightly (42)
Bookings:
Martin (60)
Stuart (70)
McLean (90)
Sent Off:
Angus (90)
Att: 1771
Referee: R Shoebridge
Fans Man of the Match: McLean
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