Matches

Match Report By Martin Candler

In an epic match that stirred the blood, this Grays team emerged with more than just the three points; they showed that they are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Blue Square Premier. Against a fine Aldershot side who contributed greatly to a pulsating match, Grays rose to the challenge in thrilling style. A missed penalty, a sending off and countless missed chances kept the watching fans on tenterhooks for the whole game. The Blues visibly grew in stature as the game progressed. Up front the ceaseless running and positional interchanging of Danny Kedwell, Aaron O‘Connor and Ben Watson clearly unsettled the robust Aldershot defence, while in mid-field and defence Grays showed grit and tactical nous in equal measure.

Coming into the match seven points clear of their nearest challengers, Aldershot took the game to Grays and their delightful touch play and vigorous running, particularly from Joel Grant on the left, fully stretched the home defence. Shots from Lewis Chalmers and Scott Davies were well saved by Ross Flitney and Grant himself wasted two good opportunities. Grays, however, weathered the storm and gradually came into the game with some good attacking moves of their own before two incidents changed the direction of the match.

In the 25th minute, Grant slipped past the returning Andy Sambrook who baulked his further progress in the box. Referee Mr.Cooper indicated a shove and gave a penalty; an argument could be made that it was obstruction, but who ever sees an indirect free kick given in the penalty area these days? In front of the Aldershot fans at the Bradbourne Road end inspirational skipper Rhys Day stepped up and drove the penalty kick low to Flitney‘s left where the Grays keeper pulled off a wonderful full-length save. Three minutes later, more drama as Davies caught the influential Ian Selley with a careless lunge and received a red card. Visiting supporters claimed it should have only been a yellow, many Grays fans concurred.

Jack Obersteller and O‘Connor missed good chances before Grays took the lead in the 42nd minute. Watson jinked his way past the Aldershot defence before laying the ball across goal for Obersteller to nudge home and open his account for the Blues.

In the second half, as expected, Aldershot came out with renewed determination and Grays needed all their defensive skills to hold firm but were by no means content to just defend. This was illustrated in the 52nd minute when Grays doubled their lead. A flowing move involving Kedwell, O‘Connor and Obersteller put Watson clear in front of goal and he calmly slipped the ball past Nikki Bull.

Shots manager, Gary Waddock, in a brave if desperate attempt to rescue the game, then brought on all three subs and went with three central defenders at the back. Grays had been having joy all match down the Aldershot left and this move only served to increase their goal threat as Grays poured down that flank. Golden chances were created; O‘Connor, Kedwell, Obersteller, Watson and Sambrook all had one-on-ones but no-one could finish them off. However, Aldershot rode their luck and, to their credit, attacked at every opportunity and in the 65th minute, after a clever dribble by Grant, Jonny Dixon pulled one back for the visitors. Despite all those missed Grays chances, in the dying embers of the game only a point-blank save by Flitney denied Danny Hylton an equaliser. It was that kind of game!

But this was Grays‘ day and if full credit must go to a wonderful team effort, mention must be made of the fine job Justin (not forgetting John Yems and Gary Phillips more recently) have done in building what is, with the exception of Jamie Stuart and Andy Sambrook, a completely new team.

Grays Athletic: Flitney, Downer, Gaia, Stuart, Sambrook, Selley (Day 64), Murray (Power 46), Watson (Cumbers 86), Obersteller, O'Connor, Kedwell.
Subs Not Used: Gibbons, Marshall.

Booked: Sambrook, Selley, Obersteller, Day.

Goalscorers: Obersteller(43), Watson(52)

Attn: 1210

Ref: Ian Cooper (Kent).

Match Pictures

Graeme Truby (Official Photographer):

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