Grays Athletic 1 Morecambe 2 (Home) -- Matches -- Grays Athletic F.C.

The Recreation Ground, Bridge Road,
Grays, Essex, RM17 6BZ
Clubhouse: (01375) 377753
General enquiries: (01375) 391649
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Matches

Grays Athletic 1 Morecambe 2 (Home)
Sat, April 29, 2006. Kick off: 3:00 PM

Match Report By Martin Candler

Despite a more than healthy attendance at the New Rec.this was a strange sort of day. Mark Stimson decided to rest six members of his preferred starting eleven in order to keep them fresh for the mighty battles to come and having already secured a play-off place there lacked the usual bite and desire in the Blues play. In contrast, Morecambe came seeking the point that would get them into the play-offs and, over the piece, emerged worthy winners.

Grays though were given a flying start by Mark De Bolla in the 8th minute. Tom Williamson won the ball in mid-field and fed Dennis Oli who spun and released De Bolla with a penetrating pass; De Bolla kept his cool and slotted past the Shrimps keeper, Steven Drench, to put the home side in front. Morecambe responded with off-target headers by Danny Carlton and Michael Twiss, followed by a fierce shot by Wayne Curtis, well saved by Nicky Eyre. Glenn Poole, after a jinking run and shot, saw Chris Blackburn clear his effort off the line.

Morecambe equalised in the 33rd minute, when a corner from Twiss was met with a flick header at the near post by Carlton. The visitors began to tighten their grip on the game and it must be said looked physically stronger than Grays who found it hard to break down the resolute Morecambe defence, muscularly led by their skipper, Jim Bentley. It was Bentley himself who put the Shrimps ahead when he powered home a header in the 54th minute from an inviting free-kick delivered by Twiss. The visiting fans, many in fancy dress, sensed that it was their day and at the final whistle shared a noisy celebration with their team. Good luck to them, we might just meet in the Final! Good luck and farewell also to Lee Matthews whose distinguished career ended when he came on in the 74th minute for an emotional final appearance in a Blues shirt. He received a standing ovation from the Grays fans who paid fitting tribute to a popular and talented player.

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Mawer, Bruce, Hanson (Matthews 74), Nutter, Hooper, Olayinka (Johnson 63), Williamson, Poole, DeBolla, Oli (Kightly 45).
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Martin.

Booked: Hanson.

Goalsscorer: DeBolla(8).

Attn: 1950

Ref: D McDermid (Hampshire)

Fans Man of the Match: Eyre

Photo: ? Rob Vallance

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