Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

Grays made two changes from last week, fit-again Andy Sambrook and Tommy Williamson replacing Adam Green and Johnny Martin but struggled to make headway against a determined Weymouth outfit. The home side started brightly and Ashley Bayes was soon called upon to save shots from Wayne Purser and Ben Smith as well as a header from Raphael Nade.

However, in the 16th minute the Terras were stunned when, against the run of the play, a cross by Dennis Oli was headed in by Lee Boylan to put the Blues ahead. Weymouth responded just two minutes later when Bayes failed to cut out a cross from Abdou El Khoti and Richard Logan knocked the ball over the line from close range. The Terras now had their tails up and proceeded to put Grays under severe pressure, illustrated by Bayes being forced to pick up a Jamie Stuart back-pass in his own area. Luckily, the danger passed as Simon Weatherstone‘s header from the ensuing free-kick went over the bar.

But the pressure told in the 33rd minute when a poor clearance by Jay Smith was met with a fine scoring volley from the edge of the box by Nade. Bayes then made fine saves from a Nade shot and a 35 yard free-kick by Weatherstone. In the 37th minute Grays drew level when skipper Stuart Thurgood played a quick free-kick through to the ever-alert Boylan who, unmarked, dispatched the ball into the roof of the net. Then just before the interval Boylan, again, forced home custodian Matthews into a smart save.

What turned out to be a pivotal moment in the game came in the 52nd minute when Justin Richards failed to convert a golden scoring opportunity when he somehow headed an inviting cross by Smith over the bar when well-placed. Although the Blues had a better share of the second half they could not fashion another clear-cut chance. The withdrawal of Boylan (replaced by Green) mystified the travelling Blues support and in contrast the introduction of Chukki Erribenne for Weymouth sorely tested a tiring Grays defence with his pace and trickery. Almost immediately he ran through Grays‘ defensive cover only to shoot wide of the post but, in the 77th minute, he beat Jay Smith a little to easily and shot past the despairing Bayes to regain the lead for the home side. Smith then completed a sad afternoon by handling a Dean Howell centre but Bayes saved him from total embarrassment by brilliantly saving the ensuing penalty taken by Erribenne.

It must be said that Grays tried manfully for an equaliser, even pushing defender Comyn-Platt up front as an emergency striker, but in truth they lacked the necessary poise and penetration to worry a Weymouth team who ran out worthy winners.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Thurgood, Oli(Martin 65), Boylan(Green 65), Williamson, Smith, Poole, Richards, Comyn-Platt
Subs not used: Knowles, Nicholls, Moulds

Goalscorer: Boylan(16, 38)

Bookings: Comyn-Platt(11), Smith(81)

Attn: 1451

Referee: A Turner (Exeter)

Fans Man of the Match: Boylan

Forthcoming fixtures