Matches

Match Report By Martin Candler

Two penalties in the final 15 minutes, converted by man-of-the-match Danny Kedwell, saw Grays come from a goal behind to overcome Crawley‘s dogged resistance at the New Rec on Saturday. After dominating possession in the first half, Grays fell behind on the stroke of half-time through Jon-Paul Pittman‘s opportunist strike; the first shot on target that the visitor‘s had managed for the whole of the opening half!.

Grays started brightly and within the first minute Barry Cogan‘s header, from an Aaron O‘Connor cross, whistled past the post. Danny Kedwell then chased a hopeful through ball which former Blues legend Ashley Bayes‘ hurried clearance somehow fell into Kedwell‘s path. His first goal attempt was scuffed and a second effort blocked by a covering defender. At the other end, Nicky Eyre, in attempting to stop a Jamie Stuart back-pass from going for a corner only succeeded in presenting the ball to the challenging Pittman but Stuart‘s timely block saved the home custodian‘s blushes.

Grays continued to press but the season-long inability to find a cutting edge negated their positive approach play. The introduction of Jamie Taylor at the resumption gave Kedwell the support he needed and the Blues began to look more threatening in attack. Kedwell‘s muscular hold-up play and thoughtful passing unsettled the hitherto defiant Crawley defence. Crawley had a fair shout for a penalty when ex-Grays player, Pierre Joseph-Dubois was felled in the area by Simon Downer, but Crawley‘s protests, particularly from their apoplectic boss Steve Evans in the dug-out, were waved away by referee Mr D.Cook. Kedwell, O‘Connor, Taylor and Cogan all had chances but could not breach Bayes‘ goal.

In the 76th minute the referee did award a spot-kick but this time it was to the home side when he adjudged Bradley Thomas to have fouled Kedwell. After some delay, Kedwell took the penalty himself and scored with aplomb. Grays now had their tails up and fully stretched the Crawley rearguard and in the 84th minute there was more controversy as Jamie Stevens appeared to foul Kedwell and, in the same passage of play, O‘Connor also seemed to be pulled back in the act of shooting on goal. Initially, the referee waved play-on but, after checking with the linesman, awarded another penalty kick. The Crawley players, led of course by our Ashley, were incensed but after another prolonged delay, Kedwell stepped up and emphatically smashed the ball home. In the 5 minutes of added time, Crawley strove hard for an equaliser, even joined on corner kicks by the charismatic Bayes, but the Blues held firm to record a deserved victory and maintain their momentum under the stewardship of Our Leader.

Grays Athletic: Eyre, Downer, Ashton, Stuart, Gross, O'Connor, Thurgood (Goulding 63), McCafferty, Cogan, Kedwell (Standing 90), S.Taylor (J.Taylor 46).
Subs Not Used: Whincup, Woodward.

Booked: McCafferty, Ashton, Kedwell, Downer.

Goalscorer: Kedwell(76 pen, 84 pen)

Crawley Town: Bayes, Blackburn, Murphy, Stevens (Thomas 41), Krause, Thompson (Cook 88), Pinault, Hall, Bulman, Joseph-Dubois, Pittman.
Subs Not Used: Carter, Nayee, Raynor.

Booked: Joseph-Dubois, Krause, Bayes.

Goalscorer: Pittman 45.

Attn: 853

Ref: D Cook (Lancashire).

Match Pictures

Graeme Truby (Official Photographer):

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