Matches

Match Report By Martin Candler

Any Blues fan reflecting on the Boxing Day encounter with near-neighbours, Ebbsfleet, must be wondering how their team finished up with just the one point after dominating the game throughout. After Danny Kedwell had put Grays in front, a mixture of inspired keeping by Lance Cronin in the visitors goal and profligacy in front of goal by the homesters kept Ebbsfleet in the match till they suddenly snatched a 74th minute equaliser. Cronin then cemented his man-of-the-match accolade 8 minutes from time by denying Aaron O‘Connor from the penalty spot and leaving the Blues to rue their missed chances.

In a rather flat first half, Grays were the more creative side with Ian Selley and Kedwell showing some neat touches but generally the passing was wayward. For their part, Ebbsfleet seemed to be content just to launch the ball forward in the hope of unsettling the Grays back line, a ploy that was easily countered with some accomplished defending by the home side, which was illustrated by a clearance off the line by the alert Simon Downer in a rare Ebbsfleet attack. In the 19th minute, a long throw from Downer was back-headed by Kedwell, the ball looping over the England X1 keeper Cronin to find the net and give Grays the lead.

The game livened up considerably in the second half as Grays‘ passing became sharper and the tireless running of the front three began to stretch the Ebbsfleet defence. In the 52nd minute Kedwell shot straight at Cronin, two minutes later, O‘Connor‘s header hit the post and then Ben Watson, right in front of goal, saw his goal-bound shot turned away by Cronin. It seemed just a matter of time before Grays would score but in the 74th minute, Grays were made to pay for their missed opportunities when sub John Akinde showed how it should be done as the 18 year-old latched on to a hopeful punt forward, eased in front of the impressive Jon Ashton and lashed the ball past Flitney.

Despite this setback, Grays continued to bombard the Ebbsfleet goal and in the 82nd minute were handed a lifeline. Karl Murray chased a through ball, Cronin came out but did not gather the ball and Murray crossed to sub Gavin Grant whose shot towards the net was handled by skipper Paul McCarthy. The referee, Mr Sheldrake pointed to the spot and gave McCarthy the red card. O‘Connor fired the penalty kick to Cronin‘s right but the keeper guessed correctly and produced a fine diving save to earn a somewhat fortuitous point for his team.

With two testing games to come perhaps we will learn a little more about how far the Blues have developed as a unit and in particular whether they can add a dash ruthlessness in front of goal to complement their obvious overall improvement.

Grays Athletic: Flitney, Downer, Ashton, Gaia, Stuart, Murray, Day, Selley, O'Connor, Kedwell (Grant 75), Watson (Cumbers 78).
Subs Not Used: Gibbons, Obersteller, Sambrook.

Booked: Kedwell.

Goalscorer: Kedwell(20).

Attn: 813

Ref: D Sheldrake (Midlands).

Match Pictures

Graeme Truby (Official Photographer):

Gavin Ellis (TGS Photos):

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