Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

Both sides had their chances to take all three points in a hard-fought encounter but a combination of poor finishing and bad luck saw the game finish goalless. It must be said that the visitors had the edge in cohesive play but the Blues stuck to their task doggedly. With Grays missing most of their strike force through injury and departures, Andy King brought in Danny Cadamateri to add a touch of experience and quality. Home fans were soon won over by Danny‘s work-rate and commitment to the cause which allied to his obvious class and technique made for an exciting debut in the Grays colours. How long he stays is another matter!

York started the game in determined fashion and, early on, Craig Farrell poked the ball home in a goal-mouth scramble, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. Then top-scorer Clayton Donaldson put Steve Bowey in but he blazed over, while a Neal Bishop effort was saved by Ashley Bayes. Grays responded immediately when Stuart Thurgood found Justin Richards in space and his pass was collected by Cadamateri whose shot was pushed over the bar by Tom Evans. Soon after, Richards himself had a chance when, receiving again from Thurgood, his strike on goal was deflected over.

Grays, however, were finding it hard to get any rhythm going with their passing and as the half neared its conclusion, York piled on the pressure. Farrell, who had earlier turned Charlie Comyn-Platt to draw a smart save from Bayes beat his marker Comlyn-Platt again but held his head in frustration as his shot rattled the post.

At the interval, Grays replaced Jay Smith, apparently injured, with debutant, Sheku Kamara. The change worked well as Kamara‘s height and strength helped stabilise a hithertoo less than secure back three and also enabled Andy Sambrook to push forward to give the team a less lop-sided look. This was soon illustrated when Sambrook‘s whipped cross from the right was headed on by Richards to the on-rushing Cadamateri whose stooping header was well saved by Evans. Sub Darryl Stamp then shot wildly over before stalwart defender David McGurk appeared to handle in the penalty area after laying on top of the ball, although referee Mr. East thought otherwise. Comyn-Platt then headed over a pin-point cross from Tom Williamson when well-placed as Grays tried desperately for a score.

Dennis Oli was introduced, for Richards, but he only lasted ten minutes of playing time before he fell awkwardly and was carried off with a knee injury and was replaced by Johnny Martin. This was a severe blow to Grays and Glenn Poole had to act as a make-shift central striker to partner Cadamateri up front. York, perhaps sensing that the home side were in some disarray, mounted a series of determined attacks in the last quarter of the game. In a frantic finale, first Poole curled a left-footer wide then right at the death Stamp bundled the ball into the net from a corner. The effort was ruled out as the linesman deemed that the ball had veered out of play from the corner kick.

After the match, Andy King felt that there were a number of positives to emerge from the game and, given time, will fashion a team to take the club forward. With Justin Edinburgh now on board and new signings on the way, the next few weeks could be interesting!

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Thurgood, Williamson, Smith (Kamara 46), Nicholls, Poole, Comyn-Platt, Richards (Oli 56), Cadamarteri, Oli (Martin 67).
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Bull.

Booked: Smith, Poole, Kamara.

Att: 1139.

Ref: R East (Wiltshire).

Fans Man of the Match: Cadamarteri

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