Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

An exciting game between two sides harbouring play-off aspirations provided rich entertainment for both sets of fans. With the visitors choosing from a full squad for the first time in a while and the Blues recapturing some of their early-season form, the contrasting styles of the two teams made for a pulsating encounter. Grays, displaying their swift, progressive passing game, fully stretched the Cards defence, well marshalled by the experienced Stuart Nethercott. Up front the opportunist Justin Richards showed why he is the Conference?s leading marksman by scoring two well-taken goals but for their part, in Jamie Slabber and Aaron McLean Grays possessed two front-runners of skill and penetration.

Grays started brightly but were pegged back in the 17th minute when Richards latched on to a flicked header by Craig McAllister and coolly lobbed the ball over Nicky Eyres. The Blues roared back and in the 20th minute were level when the impressive Slabber scored from close range, a strike repeated two minutes later by the persistent McLean who profited by some uncertain defending to put the Blues in front, again from close in.

Eyre then made good saves from Richards and Karl Murray before Slabber orchestrated a flowing move which set up skipper Stuart Thurgood but his well-struck shot flashed agonisingly the wrong side of the post. A Jamie Stuart volley went just wide with Shwan Jamal beaten as Grays piled on the pressure.

The second half began with the Cards in determined mood but a reckless lunge by Steve Ferguson on Cameron Mawer (perhaps lucky not to get a straight red card) resulted in the Grays defender being taken to hospital with a suspected fractured leg. Grays continued to trouble the Woking defence with their pace and inventiveness and the fast-improving Michael Kightly had two wonderful chances to close the game out. Put through on both occasions with just the keeper to beat he firstly screwed his shot wide and then was denied by Jamal bravely diving at his feet. Another Kightly effort was cleared (although Grays fans nearest the incident were convinced that the ball had crossed the line). Christian Hanson then made a goal-line clearance from a McAllister shot as the game opened out.

In the 83rd minute Grays were left to rue their missed chances when Murray robbed Johnny Martin and released Richards who calmly poked a shot past the despairing Eyres, using the outside of his boot, and the ball hit the post and rolled over the line to bring the scores level.

For the home supporters this was a game that the Blues had ample chances to win but fair play to the visitors who fully contributed to a game that was a credit to Conference football. Indeed many Grays fans feel that their team can go into the ?business? end of their league and Trophy campaigns full of confidence as their mixture of youth, experience and attacking style will give any opposition a game!

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Nutter, Stuart, Thurgood, Martin, McLean, Kightly, Mawer(Sambrook 55), Poole, Slabber, Hanson
Subs not used: Bayes, Hooper, Williamson, Olayinka

Goalscorers: Slabber(20), McLean(22)

Booked: McLean(44)

Ref: G. Ward (Kent)

Att: 1256

Fans Man of the Match: Kightly

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

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