Grays Athletic 1 Kidderminster Harriers 0 (Away) (FA Trophy 2nd Round)
Sat, January 14, 2006. Kick off: 3:00 PM
Match report by Martin Candler
In a much improved performance at the Aggborough Stadium, the Blues snatched a dramatic winner from the irrepressible Aaron McLean. In a game of few clear-cut chances Grays controlled most of the play and by boldly employing three strikers set their stall out to win the game at the first attempt. In central defence, debutant Christian Hanson and teenager Cameron Mawer hardly put a foot wrong all afternoon while, in attack, McLean showed his usual energy and persistence. Mark Stimson said of Hanson “He is a good communicator and that will help the younger players like Mawer who was brilliant alongside him.” In the 13th minute McLean was denied when his goal-bound header from a cross by Michael Kightly was cleared off the line by Harriers skipper Mark Jackson. Shots by Gary Hooper and Kidderminster’s Gareth Sheldon were both blocked and leading scorer, Iseden Christie headed wide when well placed. However, Grays, growing in confidence, looked the more composed side and began to play the brand of football that has thrilled their fans for most of the season.
The second half saw Kidderminster show more attacking intent with Christie the main threat but Grays stood firm and the introduction of Jamie Slabber pepped up Grays’ attack. However, K’s sub Simon Russell should have done better when he latched on to a pass from Christie but his shot lacked power and Ashley Bayes made a comfortable save. Slabber then fired wide from 10 yards out but soon the same player put Mclean in but,to Aaron’s disbelief, his shot hit the underside of the bar and was cleared. Not to be denied, a minute later, in injury time, McLean leapt to back-head a teasing cross from Andy Sambrook into the top corner of the goal to seal a deserved victory for the Blues.
It must be said that the only criticism of their performance was, a lack of a killer finish to their approach work; but, in truth, it was still a marvellous win enjoyed by the small, but noisy travelling Blues fans who demonstrated to the appreciative Grays players after the game that, to paraphrase our Leader, if you are proud we’ll be loud!
Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Nutter, Thurgood, Hooper, Battersby, Martin, McLean, Kightly(Slabber 60), Mawer, Hanson
Subs not used:Eyre, Williamson, Bruce, Poole,
Goalscorer: McLean (90)
Referee: R Lewis (Shrewsbury)
Att: 1,456
Fans Man of the Match: McLean
|
