Matches

Match Report By Martin Candler

After the F.A.Cup debacle at Lewes on Wednesday night the travelling Grays supporters were wondering how their team would respond; it‘s a pleasure to report that every man jack rolled up his sleeves and just would not be denied. No one exemplified this spirit more than Danny Kedwell. Much maligned in his attempts in his rookie season to raise his game to the demands of the Blue Square Premiership he was determined to answer his critics in the correct manner---on the pitch! He must have covered every blade of grass at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium with his non-stop running and closing down of opponents and soon had the Grays fans singing his name.

Not that this was a one man show by any means, the whole team battled from first to last against a big, direct Salisbury outfit. Employing a 4-3-3 formation, Justin Edinburgh drafted in Jamie Day and Ernie Cooksey into mid-field to supplement the impressive Karl Murray, which gave substance and energy to the Blues play. A cracking strike in the 7th minute by Jamie Day gave the Blues the perfect start: receiving from Aaron O‘Connor, Day looked up and his powerful, low shot from 25yards flew past the White‘s goalie Ryan Clarke to give Grays the lead.

Kedwell and Murray went close for Grays and the commanding Ross Flitney saved a shot from the gangling Robbie Matthews and turned aside a goal-bound flick header from Matt Tubbs. Grays were pretty much in control as their famed mean defence skilfully kept the Salisbury attacks at bay but Grays still pushed on at every available opportunity to stretch the home defence, well marshalled by Matt Robinson.

In the second half, Salisbury began to rely more and more on the long diagonal punt aimed at Grays‘ full-backs, mostly launched by goalie Clarke. This tactic was resolutely repulsed by the Blues and the home crowd began to get restless at this one-dimensional approach. The introduction of Ben Watson gave a fresh impetus down the right flank but Grays could not turn territorial advantage into clear-cut openings. In the third minute of extra time, Salisbury had one final chance but sub Clay‘s well-struck free-kick whistled past the post. At the end of the game it was good to see the team and the fans applauding each other for it was a victory hard fought and well deserved. However, on a cautionary note, it must be said that Grays managed few shots on target and still lack a fluent understanding of each others play; but surely with so many new faces in the squad this will come.

Grays Athletic: Flitney, Downer, Ashton, Stuart, Obersteller, Oli (Watson 71), Murray, Day, Cooksey, O'Connor, Kedwell.
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Gross, Hearn, Grant.

Booked: Kedwell, Downer, O'Connor.

Goalscorer: Day(7).

Attn: 1226.

Ref: J Farries (Oxfordshire).

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