Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

On a bitterly cold evening at the New Rec, Grays proved a little too neighbourly to their table-topping rivals by gifting them the only goal of the game. It was in the 11th minute that Grays keeper Ashley Bayes came rushing out of his goal to claim a long punt by his opposite number Tony Roberts but was beaten to the ball by Peterborough-bound Craig Mackail-Smith and could only watch with horror as the ball bounced agonisingly into the unguarded net. For a man that has performed with great distinction this season for the Blues this was a hard pill to swallow.

The goal was, in truth, the only incident of note in the first 25 minutes as the ball spent more time in the air than on the grass as both teams struggled to find any fluency. However, Grays suddenly found their passing rhythm and proceeded to batter the Daggers‘ defence for the remainder of the half creating half a dozen good chances. In their path stood the veteran Roberts who fully deserved his man-of-the-match accolade by frustrating the Grays attack with a string of top-class saves.

Poor Lee Boylan, in particular, must have wondered what more he had to do to score. Around the 32nd minute he had four chances in quick succession that on another day would have given his team the spoils. Roberts blocked his first effort,he then headed over with his second, and drew fine saves from the keeper with his other two chances. Mackail-Smith then had a chance but showed too much of the ball to Bayes and the danger was cleared. Glenn Poole also had two efforts saved by Roberts as the Blues strove for the equaliser but half-time arrived with nothing to show for all their superiority.

The second half was a turgid affair with Dagenham in defensive mode, happy to hit Grays on the break and the homesters began to run out of ideas. Mackail-Smith had two chances but missed both and his team hung on to take all three points to go 6 points clear at the top of the table. The Blues were left to rue their missed chances but must take heart from a second good showing in three days against the best two clubs in the division.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Cowan, Stuart, El Kholti, Williamson, Poole, Harding, Bodkin (Martin 73), Boylan, O'Connor (Turner 67)
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Smith, Nicholls

Booked: Harding

Att: 1504

Ref: G Scott (Devon)

Fans Man of the Match: Sambrook

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

Forthcoming fixtures