Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

Despite taking a surprise lead early in the second half at the Stonebridge Road stadium, Gravesend were suddenly hit with a three goal blitz by high-flying Grays between the 68th and 72nd minutes. On a cold, blustery evening, nothing that the sizeable Blues travelling contingent had witnessed in a turgid first half could have prepared them for such a dramatic turn-around in their team?s fortunes. Perhaps the draining effects of Saturday?s thrilling win over Accrington and the ?in-your-face? style of the home side combined to affect Grays? usual flowing football. Seeing the ball disappear over the roof of the stand on at least six occasions gives an idea of the type of match being played, particularly in the first half. In fact the only worthwhile goal attempt in this half was from Gravesend?s Bradley Johnson who pulled his shot wide of the post.

However, Johnson made amends in the 51st minute, when from a corner by Jimmy Jackson which was not properly dealt with by the Grays defence, he poked the ball past Ashley Bayes to open the scoring. Mark DeBolla hit the side netting after a slick Grays counter but the home side pressed forward and both Danny Slatter and James Smith had goal-bound shots blocked, the latter player also saw Christian Hanson hack his shot off the line. In the 68th minute, as Grays were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out, Glenn Poole stepped up and struck a beauty into the top corner of the net to give the Blues the equaliser. Suddenly Grays roared into overdrive and in the 70th and 72nd minutes two sublime strikes by Michael Kightly, set up by Mark De Bolla and Stuart Thurgood respectively, took the game away from Gravesend. In the 90th minute, a reckless challenge on Thurgood by Steve McKimm instantly produced a red card from referee Mr.Tomlinson to compound Gravesend?s miserable evening.

In the pursuit of a play-off place, three further points gathered away from home must be considered a bonus, although apart from that mad four minute spell the match itself was disappointing. The result puts Grays into 4th place in the league, we would have settled for that at the start of the season!

Finally, there is no truth in the rumour that Rocky?s case comes up next week for being in possession of a flat singing voice at the Dartford Tunnel toll-booths after the game!

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Hanson, Nutter, Kightly, Olayinka (Martin 77), Thurgood, Poole (Williamson 90), DeBolla (Hooper 84), McLean
Subs Not Used: Eyre, Bruce

Bookings: Poole, McLean.

Goals: Poole(68), Kightly(70,72)

Att: 1245

Ref: S Tomlinson (Hampshire)

Fans Man of the Match: Kightly

Twister!!
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Thats the Keeper beaten!!
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

Two sugars in mine please!!
Photo: ? tgsphoto.co.uk

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