Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

Lack-lustre Grays endured a frustrating night at Gravesend‘s Stonebridge Road ground where the home side, particularly in the opening half, gave the Blues a torrid time. Flooding the mid-field and doubling up on the visitor‘s hard-pressed full-backs when attacking, Gravesend were clearly determined to avenge last season‘s heavy defeats against their Essex neighbours.

For their part, Grays seemed unable to raise their game and manager Frank Gray changed the formation at the beginning of the second half by withdrawing the harassed Adam Green, going for three at the back, pulling Dennis Oli back to re-inforce the over-run mid-field and introducing Lee Boylan up front. This gave Grays more of the game but their usual attacking penetration was missing; however, for all their commendably positive approach it must be said that Gravesend were restricted very few clear chances by the Grays defence. In the 22nd minute, the homesters took the lead when John Keeling skipped past Adam Sambrook to cross for the lively Charlie Macdonald to side-foot home from close range.

Grays then began to get some parity but there efforts were undermined by playing too many high balls forward which were food and drink to the tall Fleet defenders. In a thrilling 20-pas move the Blues showed what could be achieved by passing the ball but Michael Kightly, at full stretch, could not quite convert Green‘s cross at the move‘s end. Dennis Oli, who had earlier gone close himself, put Aaron McLean through but on this occasion he chipped the ball over the bar. With Ashley Nicholls prominent Grays pressed forward as Gravesend feel deeper in defence but could not find the spark to prise open the resolute home rearguard.

Then in the 63rd minute, further evidence that the night belonged to Gravesend came when ex-Blue Mark De Bolla wriggled past some half-hearted challenges to send in a firm 20-yard shot which Ashley Bayes got a despairing hand to but couldn‘t prevent the ball entering the net. Just before this goal, Boylan coolly made room for himself after a good Grays move but shaved the post with keeper Lance Cronin well beaten. Harsh bookings awarded by referee Mr. Phillips to McLean and Kightly compound Grays‘ miserable evening

A disappointing night then for the sizeable Blues following but it must be said that Gravesend fully deserved their victory. For Grays, the centre of the defence looked sound, Nicholls gets better with each game and given the service the forwards will score goals but in order to re-assert ourselves one or two key players need to find their true form.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Smith, Stuart, Green (Boylan 45), Kightly, Nicholls, Martin, Poole, McLean, Oli.
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Sangare, Canham, Mawer.

Booked: Kightly, McLean.

Att: 1200

Ref: D Phillips (Chichester).

Fans Man of the Match: J Stuart

Photo © Mark Gardner

Photo © Mark Gardner

Photo © Mark Gardner

Photo © Mark Gardner

Photo © Mark Gardner

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