Matches

Match Report By Martin Candler

When Adam Green scored the Blues‘ second goal in the 56th minute, few among the travelling Grays supporters could have predicted the ensuing goal rush. Despite a cool finish by Michael Kightly in the 41st minute that put Grays ahead, the visitors lacked the verve and speed of passing for which we know they are capable.

But, suddenly, they clicked into overdrive and gave a thrilling master class in flowing football and clinical finishing. A brace from Glenn Poole, clearly relieved to open his account for the season, a thumping header from Aaron McLean, his 13th of the campaign, and another from the excellent Kightly, his 10th, saw Grays finally shake off the shackles that have restricted them to one win in the last 9 games.

St. Albans, in the second half, had no answer to the pace and movement of this Grays outfit, yet in a turgid opening half they must have thought they had a chance of getting something out of the game. Indeed, when in the 18th minute Ashley Bayes made a hash of a throw out which was pounced on by Paul Hakim, it needed new-boy Chris Plummer to rescue the situation with a timely hack to safety. As ever, Bayes redeemed himself moments later when he somehow kept out a goal-bound header from Dave Theobald, the same player heading against his own bar as Grays swiftly counter-attacked. Just before half-time home keeper, Paul Bastock, saved well at the feet of the on-rushing Kightly but threw the ball straight to the industrious Ashley Nicholls who quickly found Kightly and the in-form striker made no mistake to give the Blues a half-time advantage.

After Grays 4-goal burst in the second half, St. Albans had a sustained attack in which they spurned three good chances to open their goal account, but through erratic finishing and defiant keeping by Bayes, they had to acknowledge that the day belonged emphatically to Grays. In fact, the Blues could have scored more, particularly when Dennis Oli blazed over after a thrilling 50-yard run but had to settle for a late strike by Kightly which completed the scoring.

What must have pleased Frank Gray in particular in an all-round team performance were the telling contributions made by Adam Green, Johnny Martin and Glenn Poole, who have all had a difficult start to the season. Green looked much more assured, Martin seemed to have regained much of his sharpness and Poole visibly grew in confidence after scoring twice. Mind you, the whole squad need to be at their best when Bromley come to the New Rec on Saturday in the F.A Cup in what is an important game

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Plummer, Stuart, Green, Kightly, Nicholls, Martin (Thurgood 71), Poole (Slabber 76), Oli, McLean (Boylan 76)
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Williamson

Booked: Martin

Goals: Kightly (41, 90), Green (56), McLean (58), Poole (64, 65)

Att: 1045

Ref: A Watts (West Midlands)

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

© Mark Gardner

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