Grays Athletic 0 Exeter City 2
Sat, February 16, 2008. Kick off: 3:00 PM
Match Report By Martin Candler
Exeter City recorded their first ever win at the New Rec to bolster their hopes of a play-off place, assisted by two defensive gaffes by the home side. In the first 20 minutes of a bitterly cold afternoon most of the action was concentrated in a congested mid-field and apart from an Aaron O‘Connor shot fired over the crossbar, goal-mouth incidents were in short supply. Then in the 22nd minute a cross by Dean Moxey was somehow missed by Jamie Stuart and the ball fell to Wayne Carlisle who beat Ross Flitney at his near post, despite the Grays custodian getting a hand to the shot. For some reason this error seemed to induce a collective loss of composure in a Blues defence which, until just recently, has been so solid. This was graphically illustrated in the 29th minute when a harmless-looking punt down the middle saw Jon Ashton and Flitney get into a muddle, Ashton knocking the ball past the advancing Flitney for Adam Stansfield to run on and prod the ball into an unguarded net. Soon after, Andy Marriott denied O‘Connor by tipping his fierce shot over the bar
In the second half, Grays brought on Danny Kedwell to add a more physical presence to the Grays attack and for a while they took the game to a workmanlike, if unadventurous Exeter side. Perhaps mindful of the fact that they had surrendered a two-goal lead to Woking on Wednesday, the Grecians seemed quite content to sit back, close Grays down and defend their lead. This approach nearly came unstuck when Michael Standing hit the crossbar with a fine shot as Grays strove for a riposte. Exeter‘s main chances fell to George Friend but on each occasion he failed to get on the scoresheet. Despite holding the edge in possession, Grays chronic lack of a cutting edge and Exeter‘s lack of adventure saw the game slowly peter out and worryingly many Grays‘ fans had headed for the exit before the end of the match, obviously unhappy with what they had witnessed.
Justin said after the game that his team can only put things right by working hard as a group, not giving unnecessary goals away and showing more ruthlessness in front of goal.
Grays Athletic: Flitney, Downer, Stuart, Ashton, Gaia, Standing (McCafferty 80), Day, Cooksey, Obersteller (Watson 66), O'Connor, Taylor (Kedwell 56).
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Sambrook.
Booked: Ashton.
Attn: 1089
Ref: M Stewart (Essex).
Match Pictures
Graeme Truby (Official Photographer):
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