Stevenage Borough 2 Grays Athletic 1 (aet) (F.A. Trophy Semi-Final 2nd Leg)
Sat, March 17, 2007. Kick off: 3:00 PM
Match Report by Martin Candler
Grays produced their best performance of the season in a thrilling 2nd leg of the Trophy Semi-Final at the Broadhall Stadium but were denied a deserved victory by a goalkeeping display of breathtaking brilliance by Stevenage‘s Alan Julian. Roared on by the passionate, noisy Blues travelling support, Grays refused to be affected by the late withdrawals of Johnny Martin and Gavin Grant and took the game to the home side from the start. Justin Edinburgh went for a positive 4-3-3 formation with Dennis Oli, Alex Rhodes and Pierre Joseph-Dubois up front; a tactic that so nearly propelled Grays into a record third consecutive appearance in the Trophy final.
Grays forced corner after corner in the first half as Stevenage defended desperately to contain a rampant Blues side. Rhodes shot wide, Oli back-headed the ball agonisingly past the post with Julian beaten and a rejuvenated Glenn Poole had two fine shots on goal; one flew just over, the other arrowed its way towards the top corner, only for Julian to leap across his goal and somehow palm the ball over the bar.
In the 49th minute, Anthony Tonkin, enjoying his best game so far in a Grays shirt, slid the ball through to Rhodes who coolly fired his shot past Julian to put the Blues level on aggregate. Grays now had their tails up and were breaching the home defence almost at will but that man Julian produced glorious saves from Ashley Nicholls and Joseph-Dubois(twice) to keep his team in the tie. Stevenage‘s first effort on target came when Steve Morison‘s mis-hit cross almost found the top corner of the net but Ashley Bayes recovered his position to turn the ball to safety. Morison then had a great opportunity but he pulled his shot horribly wide when well-placed.
Late in the game, Rhodes had a great chance for win the game for Grays when he capitalised on a slip by Stevenage skipper Ron Henry and raced in on goal but unfortunately skewed his shot wide. Extra time came and in the 95th minute Stevenage scored a hardly deserved equaliser when six foot seven inch defender Luke Oliver got the faintest of touches with his head from a Mark Hughes free-kick. Stevenage at last began to push Grays back and after Stuart Thurgood was sent off in the 104th minute for a second rash challenge, the Blues challenge finally faltered. Morison, Craig Dobson and Mark Beard all had chances before Morison sealed victory for the home side in the 120th minute of a pulsating match.
Although it is perhaps unfashionable to report, credit must go to referee Mr.K.Friend who tried to keep the game flowing and to Mark Stimson who, after the game, was quick to acknowledge that it was only his keeper‘s brilliance that prevented the Blues from wrapping the game up in normal time. Thanks Mark! Let us, in turn, congratulate Stevenage for reaching the Final and wish them good luck!
It’s an absolute pleasure to say that every man jack that pulled on a blue shirt on Saturday gave everything they had in this epic match. Justin and his staff must not be forgotten as the team they put out was clear in purpose and together in deed, a combination that the Blues fans present recognised from the off and gave their heroes such outstanding support.
Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Thurgood, Oli, Tonkin, Mawer (Barness 61), Nicholls, Poole, Rhodes, Joseph-Dubois (Barnes 110).
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Williamson, Smith.
Booked: Poole
Sent Off: Thurgood (104).
Goalscorer: Rhodes 49.
Attn: 3008.
Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).
Fans Man of the Match: Stuart
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