Grays Athletic F.C.
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Matches

Eastleigh 2 Grays Athletic 2 (Pre-Season Friendly)
Fri, July 11, 2008. Kick off: 7:45 PM

Some afternoon showers had freshened up the excellent playing surface and everything looked set for a good start to our pre-season programme. The weather was now fine and 203 supporters had ventured out to the pleasant surroundings of Stoneham Lane.

The players had arrived from their Butlins Holiday Camp base and were going through their pre-match exercises when I arrived at about 7.15pm.

I was informed we had a squad of twenty players available for the weekend.

Within two minutes this was reduced to nineteen, as new keeper, Steve Arnold, hurt his hip in the warm up. We were also missing Ross Flitney, still recovering from his broken arm, Stuart Elliott, who had tweaked a groin and Simon Downer, who dislocated his shoulder in training earlier in the week.

Our starting line up was:

Joe Woolley(former Charlton Youth keeper), Rob Gier, John Munday (who played for Kidderminster last season, including their 5-1 defeat at the New Rec!), Jamie Stuart, Adam Gross, Barry Cogan, Stefan Bailey, Mark Molesley, Ishmael Welsh, Danny Kedwell and Charlie Ide.

We made a very tentative start with just four players in the starting line-up who had played together before - and it showed!

Early opportunities were at a premium for both sides, but it was the home side who struck first after 25 minutes.

John Munday gave the ball away on the right edge of our box and James Baker ran forward and put a tempting ball into the near post which Matt Groves put away with aplomb.

Just five minutes later and it was 2-0. Stefan Bailey had a poor header which went straight to Tony Taggart some 30 yards out. He strode forward and unleashed a left foot shot which had Joe Woolley clutching at thin air as the ball sped past his outstretched left hand. A quality goal from a player who had starred for Havant and Waterlooville in their F A Cup run last season.

The Blues did come more into the game as Ishmael Welsh gave some glimpses of his ability and we had the ball in the net on two occasions, both ruled out as the ball had crossed the by-line from a Barry Cogan cross when Charlie Ide slotted home and Danny Kedwell had drifted offside for the second opportunity.

Just before half time, Stefan Bailey burst into the box and appeared to be fouled, but his dive impressed neither the referee nor his assistant.

A poor first half display against a team who appeared to have more desire to compete.

Seven changes were made for the second half:

Jeff Goulding came on for Danny Kedwell, Sam Sloma for Stefan Bailey, Jamie Taylor for Charlie Ide, Jon Ashton for John Munday, Matt Bodkin for Barry Cogan, Alex Campana (a nineteen year old who was Watford‘s Under 18 skipper) for Ishmael Welsh and Kenny Davis (a former Chelsea Youth player recently with Harlow Town) for Rob Gier.

The side seemed to have a better balance now and we began to open up the home defence on a regular basis. Matt Bodkin was looking very lively on the right flank and he made our first goal in the 55th minute with a strong run on the right followed by a deep cross which Alex Campana rose well to meet with his head and the ball hit the underside of the bar on its way into the net.

Sam Sloma was making his presence felt in midfield and Mark Molesley was driving forward at every opportunity.

Further substitutions were made at regular intervals on both sides as the game became a little disjointed.

Danny Kedwell came back on for Jeff Goulding and Mark Haines for Jamie Stuart. Danny was again substituted as Charlie Ide returned to the pitch. Adam Gross was replaced by Barry Cogan and Stefan Bailey re-appeared for Mark Molesley.

The equaliser came after 71 minutes. This time it was Matt Bodkin on the left as he weaved his way past the defender and sent in a great left foot cross which Jamie Taylor met with a powerful header from six yards to give the keeper no chance.

There was little further action in either penalty area as the game drifted to a close.

An enjoyable evening for all concerned with a draw a fair result.

The players and management headed off to their weekend retreat with a promise of a free Saturday night. We later learnt that Sunday night would also allow more free time as Harry Redknapp was unable to field a strong enough team for the Monday game.

“The Wanderer”

Grays Athletic: Woolley, Gier(Davis), Gross, Munday(Ashton), Stuart, Cogan(Campana), Welsh(Bodkin), Molesley, Bailey(Sloma), Kedwell(Taylor), Ide(Goulding)

Goalscorers: Campana, Taylor

Attn: 203