Grays Athletic 0 Crawley Town 0 -- Matches -- Grays Athletic F.C.

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

Matches

Grays Athletic 0 Crawley Town 0
Sat, April 21, 2007. Kick off: 3:00 PM

Match Report by Martin Candler

This roller-coaster season looks like going to the wire as the Blues chiselled out a point from a tense encounter with fellow-strugglers, Crawley Town. In hot afternoon sunshine, Grays tried everything they knew to break down the Red‘s resistance but were denied notably by the towering Magnus Okuonghae in defence and the mid-field nous of skipper Lee Blackburn. Crawley‘s simple strategy of defending in numbers and hitting the tall Marcus Richardson up front with long balls did not add to the crowd‘s entertainment but it was sufficient to frustrate the home side who showed plenty of perspiration but not much penetration.

In the 16th minute, Aaron O‘Connor shot over from an Alex Rhodes knock-down and Rhodes himself squandered a good chance later by shooting wide. In between these efforts, a misunderstanding in mid-field between Johnny Martin and Ashley Nicholls let in a Crawley attacker but he failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

The second half belonged to Grays as they pushed for that vital breakthrough goal, the best chance falling to Rhodes who, receiving a cross from Dennis Oli, screwed his shot wide of the goal. This miss seemed to unsettle this promising player‘s game and it was no surprise when he was substituted by Matt Bodkin. Then Oli was again the provider when in a passing move reminiscent of the not too distant past, Martin was put clear on the right of the box but his shot went agonisingly past the post. Grays cranked up the pressure and from a Stuart Thurgood corner, Jamie Stuart headed the ball downwards to O‘Connor who, at full stretch, could only volley the ball over the bar. Crawley keeper Ben Hamer then tipped over a Thurgood free-kick and as the final whistle Grays were left to ponder what might have been.

Thanks and appreciation must be given to ex-Blue Aaron McLean, who was guest of honour at the Presentation Evening at the Clubhouse after the game; it was great to see such a popular player giving his time to support the club. The Master, Jamie Stuart, won the Player of the Year award and a good evening was had by all! Finally, many thanks to the loyal Grays fans who are going to the Morecambe game on Saturday whether by plane, coach or car; let’s hope the season finishes on a high note!

Grays Athletic: Knowles, Sambrook, Stuart, Downer (El Kholti 76), Barness, Nicholls, Thurgood, Martin, Oli, O'Connor, Rhodes (Bodkin 64).
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Harding, Joseph-Dubois.

Att: 1,131

Ref: A Halliday (West Yorkshire).

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