Matches

Match Report By Martin Candler

Grays claimed all three points against struggling Altrincham and in the process kept a fourth clean sheet in their last five outings. Welcoming back, if only on loan, former Grays legend Stuart Thurgood, the Blues dominated the first half but seemed to tire in the second half and the visitors almost snatched a point in a hectic injury-time rally. Neil McCafferty, enjoying his best game in the Blues colours so far, gave Thurgood sterling support in mid-field as well as helping to protect the redoubtable Grays defence. Marlon Patterson and Adam Gross showed signs of an understanding on the left flank as Grays took the first half initiative. In the 13th minute, Andy Sambrook‘s cross-field ball just eluded the on-rushing Thurgood. In the 28th minute, Sambrook received a knock and had to be withdrawn but the Grays defence was hardly weakened by the introduction of the defensive king-pin, Jon Ashton! The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when Patterson swung over a good cross for Aaron O‘Connor, six yards out, to volley into the ground and over Stuart Coburn, despite the visiting keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Grays were now in full cry and just before the interval Thurgood surged forward to set up Jamie Taylor whose shot was blocked by Coburn; then Patterson shot wide when well-placed.

In the second half Grays continued to attack but as the game wore on Altrincham came more into it as the Blues, in particular Thurgood, began to tire. In the 63rd minute a clever Scott Taylor chip eluded the keeper but clipped the top of the bar, Alty responding with Chris Senior shooting wide. But in truth, Altrincham had hardly threatened the Grays goal for the whole 90 minutes yet in injury time they could have stolen a point. Carlos Roca found Colin Littlejust six yards from goal and he was foiled twice in the same passage of play by some terrific defensive blocks by the Grays rearguard which enabled the Blues to run out worthy winners.

With the televised home game against Droylsden and the Bank Holiday fixture at Histon to come, can Grays mount a push for a top ten finish to a topsy-turvy season?

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Sambrook (Ashton 29), Downer, Stuart, Gross, McCafferty, Thurgood, S.Taylor, O'Connor (Cogan 76), J.Taylor (Kedwell 57), Patterson.
Subs Not Used: Knowles, Standing.

Goalscorer: O'Connor(36)

Altrincham: Coburn, Shotton, Young, Tinson, Lynch, Lane, Toulson (Roca 61), Lawton, King (Senior 62), Peyton, Little.
Subs Not Used: Acton, Scott, Battersby.

Booked: Shotton, Lynch, Little.

Attn: 810

Ref: G Stretton (Leicestershire).

Match Pictures

Graeme Truby (Official Photographer):

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