Grays Athletic F.C.
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Matches

Grays Athletic 0 Eastbourne Borough 1
Mon, August 25, 2008. Kick off: 3:00 PM

Match Report By Martin Candler

A last minute goal from Eastbourne‘s Matthew Smart consigned Grays to a third defeat of the season but, in truth, they should have been out of sight by half-time. Poor finishing and a sound goalkeeping display by Lee Hook, compounded by a third penalty miss of the campaign, saw Grays frustrated by a willing, if pedestrian Eastbourne outfit.

In the first minute, the lively Jamie Taylor cut across his marker to fire in a shot which drew a fine save from the alert Hook. Barrie Cogan then sliced wide after good work by Stefan Bailey and Ishmael Welsh had put him clear in front of goal. In the 9th minute, Cogan was hauled down in the box but Stuart Thurgood’s penalty was saved comfortably by Hook.

Grays continued to press and produced some fine, fluent football and it seemed only a matter of time before a breakthrough would come. In the 24th minute, Taylor was unlucky with a flick that shaved the post. But a distinct nervousness and lack of confidence in front of goal negated the team‘s pleasing approach play, illustrated in the 38th minute when Danny Kedwell was put through but his hesitation before shooting enabled the visitors to block his attempt on goal.

After the interval, with Thurgood looking more like his old self, Grays increased the tempo but passing errors crept into their play. Eastbourne, who hitherto had offered little as an attacking force, seemed to sense the game might be theirs after all and slowly pushed Grays back. In the 89th minute Grays sub Craig Reid could have made himself a local hero when he plucked the ball out of the air with a deft touch but Hook was equal to his attempted lob.

In the dying moments a long hopeful punt saw Matthew Smart beat the onrushing Ross Flitney with a header that looped into the net. Matt Crabb then was sent off for a second yellow while Grays were left to rue their missed opportunities.

This early in the season it is important to look for positives even in such a frustrating match. The first must be the fact that, unlike last season, we are creating chances and playing some good stuff; one just hopes that the goals will come. The second is the encouraging contribution of Stuart Thurgood whose drive and leadership qualities will be needed in the season ahead.

Grays Athletic: Flitney, Gier, Gross, Stuart, Taylor(Reid 73), Kedwell, Welsh, Bailey(Molesley 65), Wilnis, Cogan, Thurgood
Subs not used: Arnold, Elliott, Campana

Booked: Stuart(72), Molesley(86), Wilnis(90)

Ref: R Fletcher

Attn: 641

Match Pictures

Gavin Ellis (TGS Photos):

Steve B: