Matches

Match Report By Martin Candler

Grays produced a vibrant, all-round performance against last season‘s Trophy finalists to record their first victory of the season. A hat-trick by Danny Kedwell, perhaps smarting from being pulled off on Wednesday night against Woking, and another by Ben Watson saw Grays four goals up inside the first 35 minutes. On 9 minutes, Kedwell chased a through ball from James Lawson, Kiddy‘s giant keeper, Scott Bevan, kicked the ball against Kedwell and it rolled over the line to give the Blues a somewhat fortuitous lead. In the 22nd minute, John Munday was adjudged by referee Amy Rayner to have pushed Kedwell in the penalty area and the same player scored from a twice-taken penalty. A minute later a James Lawson knock-down header was gleefully despatched into the net by Watson, who was injured in the process, and had to leave the field being replaced by Aaron O‘Connor. Then a surging 70 yard run by Michael Blackwood saw fire in a fine shot which was well saved by Ross Flitney.

In the 33rd minute, Kedwell, now playing with great confidence, turned his marker with ease and beat the despairing Bevan with a powerful 20-yarder to put the Grays four goals clear. Then ex-Blue, Justin Richards, after a rare slip by Jamie Stuart, was left with only Flitney to beat but he lifted his lobbed shot over the bar.

The second half began with Kidderminster in determined mood and the home side, perhaps a little complacent after their blistering first half, were pushed onto the back foot. A 49th minute penalty awarded for hand ball was converted by sub Iyseden Christie and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope but slowly the Blues regained their composure and with the exciting young wingers, Lawson and Mark Marshall(on for the injured Dennis Oli) prominent, Grays took control. Some of the football played by the homesters was of high quality and it came as no surprise when O‘Connor finished off a fine move to restore Grays‘ four goal advantage. A perfect illustration of Grays‘ increasing confidence came when, in a little cameo of skill, Jon Ashton produced an audacious drag-back in his own half before releasing a fine pass to set up another Grays attack.

After the game Justin Edinburgh praised the performance as an impressive team effort, singling out Kedwell for his contribution, but emphasising the need for patience as his young side begin to blend. Modesty prevented him from mentioning that he has, over the summer, assembled a talented squad with true depth, a quality that will be much needed in the challenging season ahead.

Grays Athletic: Flitney, Sambrook, Ashton, Stuart, Cooksey(Day 64), Murray, Watson(O'Connor 29), Lawson, Hearn, Oli(Marshall 46) , Kedwell
Subs not used: Knowles, McAllister

Goalscorers: Kedwell(9,22(pen),35), Watson(24), O'Connor(68)

Booked: Hearn(29 Dissent), Stuart(45 Unsporting Behaviour)

Ref: A Rayner

Attn: 1017

Official Match Day Pictures by Graeme Truby

Forthcoming fixtures