Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

A goal in the 88th minute by Johnny Dixon consigned Grays to a defeat which was hard to bear as neither side really looked like scoring up to that point. On a freezing night in front of a decent size crowd, defences held sway but both sides lacked any true cutting edge. Apart from a Rhys Day effort brilliantly kept out by Ashley Bayes and a Chukki Eribenne shot palmed onto the bar by home custodian, Nikki Bull, clear-cut openings were in short supply. Although the Blues had plenty of possession, there were perhaps too many touches taken on the ball which gave the home defence enough time to regroup.

Not that the home side offered any great threat as the Grays defence, well-marshalled by the peerless Jamie Stuart, comfortably handled their attacking efforts. Apart from a period each side of half-time when the Shots mounted concerted attacks, it was the visitors who looked more likely to score as the game wore on. Both Ben Harding and Glenn Poole went close before Grays suffered that cruel, late blow.

However, the goal was not without controversy as Andy Sambrook was blatantly fouled in the build up but the claims for a free-kick were waved away by referee Mr.D.Phillips. For a moment the Grays defence lost its concentration; from a corner by Darren Barnard a header back across goal by Rhys Day found sub Kirk Hudson whose chip from the byeline was headed home by the unmarked Dixon from close range.

A disappointing outcome then for the Blues and although the spirit in the side remains good, let‘s hope the new recruits can add the penetration in the last third of the pitch needed to convert possession into goals.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Cowan, Harding, Martin, Poole, Nicholls, Eribenne, Mawer (Howell 68),Grant (Molango 57).
Subs Not Used: Knowles, O'Connor, Williamson.

Booked: Stuart, Mawer.

Att: 1924

Ref: D Phillips (West Midlands).

Fans Man of the Match: Martin & Poole

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