Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

For the second time this week the visiting keeper was the man of the match in a surprisingly open game where the Blues yet again were profligate in front of goal. The Terras almost made a dream start in the opening minutes when Simon Weatherstone rattled the crossbar with a speculative shot which took a deflection off Jay Smith. Grays then piled on the pressure and Gavin Grant, Leroy Griffiths and Glenn Poole (twice) were denied by terrific saves from Matthews. Not that it was all one-way traffic, Stuart Beavon and Ishmael Welsh provided a potent threat in attack, augmented in the second half by the introduction of Raphael Nade, returning from injury. The visitors best chance of the half came when only a marvellous double save from Ashley Bayes denied Beavon the opening score.

Two minutes from the interval, a swift counter-attack saw Poole‘s accurate cross swept home in fine fashion by the jubilant Griffiths, to open his account on his return to the colours. Soon after the interval, debutant Tom Kemp, fortunate to receive just a yellow card in the first half for a retaliatory outburst, saw his goal-bound header saved by Matthews. In the 70th and 76th minute Beavon stunned the home crowd with two opportunist goals. The first came when he headed in a cross by Welsh, the second arrived after sustained pressure from the home side ended with Grant missing a great chance; the ball was then played quickly out of defence by Weymouth, catching Grays short of numbers at the back, and Beavon was on hand to slide the ball past the on-rushing Bayes.

As if to illustrate the spirit showing by the Blues in recent games, Grant refused to be put off by his missed opportunities in the match to score the equaliser with a peach of a finish. Receiving from Stuart Thurgood, he twisted and turned in the box before curling a superb left-footer into the top corner of the net.

On the balance of play Grays can consider themselves a little unfortunate not to claim all three points but if the team can show more ruthlessness in front of goal they will be a difficult proposition for any side in the league.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Stuart, Thurgood, Martin, Griffiths, Kemp, Smith(Tonkin 46), Mawer, Poole, Harding(Eribenne 78), Grant
Subs not used: Joyce, Williamson, Howell

Goalscorers: Griffiths(43), Grant(79)

Booked: Thurgood, Kemp Mawer

Ref: C Evans

Attn: 1003

Fans Man of the Match: Kemp

© Graeme Truby

© Graeme Truby

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