Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

Grays started the game in fine style at the Abbey Stadium with the lively Chukki Eribenne heading against the post as early as the 5th minute from a telling pass by Ashley Nicholls. Playing with verve and purpose Grays penned Cambridge in their own half but could not put a finish that their approach play deserved. With Johnny Martin back to his best Grays were in the ascendant but Cambridge responded when the persistent Rob Simpson‘s shot from the edge of the box was well saved from Ashley Bayes. The veteran keeper then made a even better stop to keep out an Aidan Collins header. Mahete Molanga then had a good chance but the U‘s goalie Shane Herbert somehow clawed the shot away.

The Blues fortunes then began to change as on the half hour Eribenne was led from the field clutching his hamstring, being replaced by Dennis Oli. Then just before half-time a claim for a blatant handball by Danny Brown in the area was waved away by referee Mr.D.Sheldrake. Almost immediately, Cambridge went down the other end and won a penalty of their own, Rob Simpson having his shirt pulled by Nicholls. Simpson duly converted the penalty to give the home side an undeserved lead.

The second half saw Grays moving the ball around sweetly and with Glenn Poole now introduced into the fray, on for Molango, five or six decent chances were passed up. Even the home supporters could not believe their luck as Gavin Grant, Dean Howell and Abdou El-Khoti (twice) missed opportunities to score during a half where Grays simply battered the opposition. Then in the 84th minute, the Blues were dealt another cruel blow when Simpson, two yards offside when he received Brown‘s pass, ran on to fire in a shot that Bayes got a hand to but had to watch agonisingly as the ball bobbled over the line to make the game safe for the home side.

This match points up the old adage that when you are down things always seem to go against you but the noisy travelling Blues faithful will attest that this was a team performance full of spirit and good attacking football. However, what is glaringly apparent is that we lack a cutting edge at the moment which is costing us points.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Smith, El Kholti, Molango (Poole 56), Martin, Nicholls (Harding 72), Howell, Grant, Eribenne (Oli 31).
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Cowan.

Booked: Nicholls, Howell.

Att: 2842.

Ref: D Sheldrake (Midlands).

Fans Man of the Match: Martin

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