Matches

Match report by Martin Candler

Make no mistake this was an historic performance by a Grays team brimming with skill and commitment at the imposing Kassam stadium in front of 6504 spectators. However, 20 minutes into the match with Jay Smith sent off after 4minutes and Marvin Robinson having just scored for the home side, the travelling Blues fans had good reason to expect a pasting from their former Football League opponents, unbeaten in the Conference this season. They need not have worried! With the unfortunate Lee Boylan withdrawn for debutant Jim Sangare, Grays refused to buckle.

Smith‘s dismissal followed a flick on by the in-form Steve Basham which gave Marvin Robinson a yard on last man Smith and the Blues defender pulled Robinson back as he advanced on goal. Despite Smith‘s protestations that he was himself being held, referee Mr.Evans produced a red card. Oxford sensed their opportunity to take a grip on the game and flooded forward and Basham, Andy Burgess and Eddie Hutchinson saw efforts go wide Then came a flashpoint in the game when the veteran Rufus Brevett lunged at Andy Sambrook with a nasty two-footed tackle that left the Grays man crumpled on the deck and manager Frank Gray incensed on the touchline. Mr. Evans instead of reaching for a red card, amazingly awarded just a throw-in to Grays. To make matters worse, soon after, a fine pass out to Oxford‘s left by Barry Quinn, elude the still-limping Sambrook to find,yes you guessed it, Brevett , whose fine cross was headed in by Basham.

Aaron McLean, whose courageous running and steely determination fully occupied the home central defenders and the Blues shocked the home fans in the 38th minute when McLean, having just missed a golden opportunity to score, refused to be fazed by it. Receiving from Michael Kightly, he turned the pedestrian Chris Willmott and shot past Oxford‘s keeper, Billy Turley to send the Blues in at half-time all square.

The turning point of the game came when from a deep Brevett cross, Robinson‘s firm header from close-in was brilliantly turned over by Ashley Bayes, who contined to defy the home team with inspired keeping. However, it was by no means one-way traffic as the Blues played some delightful football, retaining controlled possession yet creating chances for McLean, Kightly and Poole. Ashley Nicholls must have covered every blade of grass for the cause and young Sangare, thrown in at the deep end, was magnificent in winning headers and tackling anything that moved in a yellow shirt, but, in truth, they all were outstanding none more so than Aaron McLean who, despite another booking, received a deserved ovation from the sporting Oxford supporters when he was substituted at the end.

It is no exaggeration to say that every Blues fan present was so proud of the manner and style of their team‘s performance and all 188 of them cheered them on from start to finish in a pulsating game that was a cracking advert for Conference football.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Green, Stuart, Smith, Kightly, Oli (Williamson 85), Poole, McLean (Slabber 90), Boylan (Sangare 8), Nicholls.
Subs Not Used: Martin, Knowles.

Sent Off: Smith (4).

Booked: McLean

Goals: McLean (38)

Att: 6504

Ref: C Evans (Lincoln)

Fans Man of the Match: Sangare

Photo: © Mark Gardner

Photo: © Mark Gardner

Photo: © Mark Gardner

Photo: © Mark Gardner

Photo: © Mark Gardner

Photo: © Mark Gardner

Photo: © Mark Gardner

Photo: © Mark Gardner

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