Grays Athletic 1 Northwich Victoria 0 -- Matches -- Grays Athletic F.C.

The Recreation Ground, Bridge Road,
Grays, Essex, RM17 6BZ
Clubhouse: (01375) 377753
General enquiries: (01375) 391649
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Matches

Grays Athletic 1 Northwich Victoria 0
Mon, April 9, 2007. Kick off: 3:00 PM

Match Report by Martin Candler

Grays recorded their 4th consecutive home win thanks to a 45th minute strike by Aaron O‘Connor, who is becoming something of a talisman to the home faithful. Any fears that Grays would start as slowly as they did at Woking were immediately dispelled as the homesters tore into Northwich, who have themselves shown good form of late. In the very first minute Dennis Oli, part of a lively front three, was inches wide of the far post with a glancing header; then O‘Connor, put through by Johnny Martin, shot straight at keeper Phil Senior. It was not until the 25th minute that the visitors managed an effort on goal but it almost put them in front as a header from James Dean thudded against the crossbar. Then Oli had a 20 yarder well saved by Senior before O‘Connor broke the deadlock just before the break. As he collected a pass in the box, he managed to hold off Gareth Griffiths and fire past Senior into the far corner of the net.

The second half was more even with the Blues anxious not to concede a score; by falling back deeper in defence and with the fullbacks tucking in, Northwich were able to exploit the room on the flanks and looked more dangerous than at any time in the match. Danny Knowles made a couple of good saves before Oli responded with a fine shot well kept out by Senior. Then a quick break by Grays saw Alex Rhodes and O‘Connor combine well but Senior once again was equal to the task and as he denied O‘Connor with a fine stop.

In the 70th minute, Stuart Thurgood cut into the penalty area but was tripped by Michael Carr; from the ensuing penalty Senior made a good save diving to his left. With O‘Connor and then Oli both limping off, the home fans had to endure some nervous moments as Northwich pumped the ball forward at every opportunity but could not pierce the Grays defence. Their frustration was compounded in the dying embers of the match by the sending off of Gareth Griffiths for a second yellow card offence.

After the match, Justin Edinburgh said he was pleased with the efforts of his team and the fact that they tried to play their football in difficult circumstances. Despite a bug running through the camp and picking up a few injuries, he thought the side stuck to their task with commendable determination to maintain their recent impressive home form.

Grays Athletic: Knowles, Barness, Downer, Stuart, Tonkin, Martin, Thurgood, Nicholls, Rhodes (Howell 70), O'Connor (Griffiths 79), Oli (Harding 86).
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Smith.

Booked: Thurgood, Howell.

Goalscorer: O'Connor 45.

Attn: 776

Ref: D Phillips (Chichester).

Fans Man of the Match: Howell

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