Grays Athletic 1 (0) Aldershot Town (0) 0 AET (Home) (FA Trophy 1st Round Replay)
Tue, December 20, 2005. Kick off: 7:45 PM
Match report by Martin Candler
Just 2 minutes from the end of extra time Glenn Poole finally broke Aldershot’s dogged resistance by shooting home after Shots’ keeper had brilliantly parried a fine effort by sub Gary Hooper. It was perhaps fitting that the Blues’ captain Stuart Thurgood, returning from suspension, provided an incisive, defence-splitting pass to set up the winner. After the game, Our Leader, Mark Stimson was fulsome in praise of his skipper describing him as the best signing he has ever made! In a tetchy game which was, for many Grays fans, marred by Aldershot’s ugly spoiling tactics - allowed to prosper, it must be said, by lenient refereeing.
Clear chances were at a premium throughout the game, but the Blues, at least tried to attack and were the better side over the piece and deserved their trip to Kidderminster Harriers on January 14th to defend the Trophy won last May. In the 1st half, Thurgood, who dragged a shot wide and Aldershot’s Greg Heald, who headed a Brian Tinnion free-kick wide, were the only worthwhile efforts on goal.
After a delayed start to the 2nd half when referee Mr. Sainsbury was unable to continue after damaging his ankle(replaced by his assistant Shawn Comerford), Heald directed a header straight at Nicky Eyre, as did lone front man Tim Sills soon after. Efforts by Aaron McLean and Glenn Poole also failed to break the deadlock and the game went into extra time.
Ex-Shot Jamie Slabber and Gary Hooper were then introduced and Grays’ youth and fitness became a major factor in the outcome of the game. Aldershot visibly tired as at last the Blues showed their trademark passing style. Driven on by the indefatigable Thurgood, Grays finally broke through when Poole scored his dramatic late winner. To overcome such a physical and durable side like Aldershot in the Trophy must give the Blues great confidence to take into the second half of the League campaign as tonight’s game showed there are no easy games at this level.
Grays Athletic: Eyre, Bruce, Stuart, Matthews, Nutter, Williamson (Slabber 103), Thurgood, Martin, Poole, McLean (Hooper 105), Oli (Olayinka 119)
Subs not used: Bayes, Sambrook
Goalscorer:
Poole (118)
Att: 852
Referee: A Sainsbury (injured H/T) replacement S Comerford
Fans Man of the Match: McLean
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