Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

The collective sigh of relief from players and fans alike that greeted the first of Karl Murray‘s brace could be felt throughout the New Rec ground! After nine hours and forty-eight minutes of football at home, the Blues had scored. Before that Grays fans were kept on tenterhooks as beleaguered Northwich, in financial trouble and rock-bottom of the table, were gifted a 12th minute penalty, Adam Gross connecting with Bradley Maylett instead of the ball, Chris Williams scoring from the spot-kick. To their credit Grays kept their composure, and immediately created several good scoring chances.

Dennis Oli, relishing his central attacking role, shot over the bar, then man-of-the-match Murray went past three defenders to set up Danny Kedwell, whose toe-poked shot hit the post. Kedwell again was in the clear but his goal-bound strike was blocked by the redoubtable Vic‘s defender, Greg Strong, and the ball flew over the bar. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when an Ernie Cooksey header was parried out by Card‘s goalie Scott Tynan and Murray was on hand to poach the equaliser.

The second half saw Northwich playing some attractive one-touch football without troubling the Grays rearguard too much although a timely block by Gross and a good save by Danny Knowles were reminders that Northwich still harboured hopes of a shock victory. But this was to be Grays‘ day and in the 58th minute a powerful run to the by-line by Kedwell, followed by an inviting cross eventually found the head of Murray which put the Blues ahead. Five minutes later Murray almost grabbed a hat-trick when his dipping long-range shot crashed against the bar. Grays were now playing with greater freedom, Gavin Grant making some exciting runs on the right and Oli linking well and the introduction of Aaron O‘Connor and later Mark Marshall gave the Blues pace and power all along the front line. But it was another mid-fielder, Charlie Hearn, who set the seal on an emphatic win with a powerful shot from twenty-five yards out which beat Tynan‘s despairing dive.

The home fans even had time to treat the returning stalwart Andy Sambrook to a medley of humorous chants to cap a “good day at the office” Without getting too carried away, it must be said that the Blues showed greater belief in their play throughout the game and, as Justin pointed out after the game, 18 shots on target is a fair indicator of their attacking intent.

Grays Athletic: Knowles. Stuart, Ashton, Downer(Sambrook 81) , Gross, Hearn, Cooksey(Marshall 86), Murray, Oli, Grant, Kedwell(O'Connor 71)
Subs not used: Flitney, Watson

Goalscorers: Murray(27, 58), Hearn(80)

Booked: Ashton(85)

Attn: 590

Ref: J. Linington

Match Pictures:

Graeme Truby (Official Photographer):

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