Grays Athletic 1 Lewes 1 (F.A. Cup 4th Round Qualifying)
Sat, October 27, 2007. Kick off: 3:00 PM
Match Report by Martin Candler
Considering there was a place in the 1st Round of the F.A. Cup at stake, the atmosphere at the New Rec was strangely muted. A 79th minute strike by Aaron O‘Connor seemed to be decisive but a bizarre Adam Gross own-goal in the 89th minute meant the tie will now be settled at Lewes‘ Dripping Pan ground on Wednesday night.
Both sides were tentative in the first half and although Grays were relatively sound in defence, too often the ball was hoofed up to the forwards with little end product. For the visitors, Paul Booth failed to convert two presentable chances while Mark Marshall had an air shot in front of the goal. On the Lewes left side, Dale Binns troubled Simon Downer, preferred to Andy Sambrook in this game, with his pace and was the main outlet for Lewes. In truth, as has been the case so often this season,few clear-cut chances were created in the match.
In the 48th minute, the hard-working Jamie Cade put Simon Wormull in, but he shot wastefully over the bar. Grays, at last, began to play their football and the introduction of Aaron O‘Connor gave the Blues a greater goal threat. After a good move involving the labouring Danny Kedwell and Dennis Oli the ball was played to O‘Connor, who made room, his crisp, low drive beating the excellent Steven Williams in the Lewes goal. Lewes brought on former Blues favourite Leroy Griffiths, receiving the biggest cheer of the game from the home supporters; what does that tell us? Grays now seemed to have the game under their control but in the 89th minute disaster struck. A huge clearance by Williams caught the Grays defence out and Gross‘ attempted headed clearance from outside the box bounced into an unguarded net past Danny Knowles, who for some reason had charged out of his goal.
With home advantage, Lewes must now be the favourites to take on Mansfield Town, scene of the Blues‘ controversial defeat two seasons ago, in the next round but if we can raise our game to the levels to which we know we are capable, who knows?
Grays Athletic: Knowles, Gross, Stuart, Downer, Oli, Kedwell, Murray, Ashton, Hearn, Marsall (O'Connor 75), Grant
Subs not used: Flitney, Sambrook, Watson, Cooksey
Goalscorers: O'Connor(79), Gross(o.g 89)
Attn: 688
Ref: W. Barratt
Match Pictures:
Graeme Truby (Official Photographer):
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