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Matches

Weymouth 3 Grays Athletic 1
Sat, August 9, 2008. Kick off: 3:00 PM

Match Report By Martin Candler

At a windswept Wessex Stadium, Grays were put to the sword by an eager Weymouth side who played with skill and brio throughout. After a successful pre-season, the Blues were hoping to open their League campaign with a flourish and hopes were high when they took the lead in the 6th minute, Mark Moseley firing in a fierce cross-shot after good work by Ishmail Welsh.

However, the usually solid Blues rearguard looked decidedly shaky with both full-backs struggling to contain the Terras‘ wide men, in particular Michael Malcolm on the left. A thunderous Stuart Elliott shot in the 12th minute was tipped over the bar but the home side continued to press and equalised in the 17th minute when yet more indecision in the Grays ranks saw Anton Richards shooting home in off the post.

In the 35th minute, more sloppy defending, this time by Matt Bodkin left Steven Reed with plenty of time to drill the ball past debutant keeper, Steve Arnold, to put Weymouth in front. With Jamie Taylor and Welsh providing some good movement up front, there seemed still time and opportunity for Grays to get back into the game, particularly as Weymouth seemed to take their foot off the gas at the beginning of the second half. Barry Cogan and Charlie Ide were introduced to the fray but could make little impact as Grays continued to stutter and mis-place their passes. Ide did have a chance when in the clear but he headed weakly into the keeper‘s arms.

Alex Campana came on in the 80th minute and gave the Blues more penetration but still the goals would not come. Grays‘ day was summed up when Taylor, profiting from a defensive lapse, beat the keeper but saw his shot rebound off the post.

Weymouth sealed their victory in the78th minute when Jon Ashton was rushed off the ball by Ryan Williams whose shot was then spilled by Arnold and Chris McPhee scored easily from close range. Arnold had a curate‘s egg of a match, at fault with two of the goals but producing three or four good saves when left badly exposed by a nervous rearguard.

Congratulation to John Hollins‘ side for their comprehensive victory but Grays have a good enough squad to learn the lessons of this disappointing defeat. Finally, mention must be made of the hardy Grays fans who travelled to the game despite horrendous traffic problems, arriving at different stages of the match; some didn’t make it until 15 minutes from the end!

Grays Athletic: Arnold, Gier, Stuart, Ashton, Gross, Bodkin(Campana 80), Elliott(Cogan 56), Molesley, Welsh, Taylor, Kedwell(Ide 62)
Subs not used: Woolley, Sloma

Goalscorer: Molesley(6)

Booked: Elliott(43)

Ref: Mr R Martin

Attn: 1059