Northwich Victoria 0 Grays Athletic 3
Mon, August 28, 2006. Kick off: 3:00 PM
Match Report by Martin Candler
The Blues delivered a fine all-round performance at the Victoria stadium on Bank Holiday Monday to go top of the League, albeit on goal difference. What is clear from an encouraging start to the season is that Frank Gray and his staff have made the team more aware of their collective defensive responsibilities without sacrificing their attacking instincts. In a rather moribund opening half, not helped by a blustery wind, Grays nearly conceded in the opening seconds when Jay Smith sliced an attempted clearance which the stranded Grays keeper, Ashley Bayes, was relieved to see land on the top of the net.
Chances fell to Northwich‘s Payne and Griffiths but they were unable to convert and it was left to Aaron Mclean, in the 35th minute to demonstrate the art of clinical finishing. Receiving a clever through ball from Dennis Oli, on-fire McLean kept his composure and shot powerfully home, despite home keeper getting a hand to the ball. McLean was then through again but this time was forced wide and the danger was averted.
Whatever Frank Gray had to say at half-time Grays showed more urgency in the second half. In the 51st minute, a Griffiths clearing header fell to Jamie Stuart and his half-volley from the edge of the box found the net via the post. A true collector‘s item as the goal came from a shot with his right foot and provided great amusement to his team-mates! Although Elliott and Brayson had efforts saved by Bayes as the home side desperately looked to respond, the Blues began to dominate the game and some of their football was a joy to watch. In the 79th minute, a superb Kightly cross was headed home by sub Jamie Slabber to open his account for the season. Just before this goal Kightly was felled by the keeper and was harshly booked for diving by referee Harwood, an injustice that was forcibly brought to his attention by the travelling Blues fans. Three away victories on the bounce must give the side confidence for sterner challenges to come but if they continue to perform with the resilience and no little skill that they demonstrated in today‘s game, they will be a difficult side to beat.
Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Smith, Green, Kightly, Martin, Nicholls, Poole, Oli (Slabber 76), McLean (Turner 82).
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Moulds, Williamson.
Booked: McLean, Nicholls, Kightly.
Goals: McLean (35), Stuart (51), Slabber (79).
Att: 874
Ref: C Harwood (Manchester).
Fans Man of the Match: McLean
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