Grays Athletic 1 Hereford United 0 (Away) (FA Trophy 3rd Round) -- Matches -- Grays Athletic F.C.

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Matches

Grays Athletic 1 Hereford United 0 (Away) (FA Trophy 3rd Round)
Sat, February 4, 2006. Kick off: 3:00 PM

Match Report by Martin Candler

Another stunning away performance from the Blues! Controlling the game for most of the match, Grays showed true style and substance in overcoming a much-vaunted Hereford side. With absentees, Andy Edwards and Gary Hooper (injured), Cameron Mawer (laid low with a bug), and Brett Johnson (ineligible), Mark Stimson named himself on the bench! After enduring some ill-informed criticism in recent weeks, Stimmo was justifiably proud of his players? spirited response. Their pride of performance showed itself at the end of the game when the whole squad celebrated with the 44 die-hard fans that travelled to Hereford. A motivational huddle between the players and staff then followed which showed just how much this victory meant.

The Blues settled quickly and both Aaron McLean and Stuart Thurgood were through on goal but their efforts were saved by the alert home keeper, Craig Mawson. Grays? ability to keep possession frustrated Hereford and apart from a wonderful, instinctive save with his trailing leg from Ashley Bayes to deny Stuart Fleetwood, the hosts created few chances.

The second half saw Grays take an even tighter grip on the game with Johnny Martin and Tom Williamson prominent and the defence defiant. But it was the tireless, dynamic leadership of skipper supreme, Stuart Thurgood, who covered every inch of Hereford?s pitch, and even found the energy to make several lung-busting runs out of defence to support the willing front men, Jamie Slabber and McLean. Appropriately, it was Thurgood who curled in the corner for Kightly to fire home the winner in the 60th minute. Hereford continued to attack but their efforts lacked conviction and Grays comfortably held out for a famous win. On a personal note, the Grays fans who were at the match would like to thank Mike Woodward for supplying tickets for the game; a gesture typical of the man that made such a great day even better!

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Nutter, Stuart, Thurgood, Martin, McLean, Williamson, Kightly, Slabber (Oli 89), Hanson
Subs not used: Eyre, Poole, Battersby, Stimson

Goalscorer: Kightly (59)

Referee: P Gibbs (West Midlands)

Attn: 1609

Fans Man of the Match: Thurgood

Group hug anyone??
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk