Young shines in Blues win

Grays inspired by a sparkling performance from Rod Young moved into the quarter finals of the Robert Dyas cup on Tuesday night against a spirited Cheshunt side, writes The Mariner

Caretaker manager Mark Bentley took the opportunity to rest a number of players following Saturday's win against Harrow with Louis Morrison Derbyshire coming into the back four, Bentley himself in for the cup tied James Stevens, Kwarsi Marfo for Joel Carlos ,and Rod Young for Jordan Wilson.

Cheshunt started brightly but the Blues gradually began to take control with Kenny Beaney and Mark Bentley asserting their presence in midfield.The first real chance of the game fell to Bentley after 5 minutes but his shot went tamely wide.

Young and Marfo were causing problems for Cheshunt out on the flanks with Young looking particularly dangerous with his speed and close control and he was unlucky witha speculative lob from him going just over.Cheshunt looked lively on the break but they were being well marshalled by the Blues rearguard and rarely troubled Gough in the Blues goal.

On 19 minutes the Blues had a good penalty appeal turned down when Dumebe Dumaka went down after a clumsy challenge but the referee waved play on ,seconds later a looping header from Nouble was just inches wide.

Young was continuing to cause problems for the Cheshunt defence and it was no surprise when in the 24 minute following good work from Aaron Best he fired in an angled shot from the edge of the penalty box to put Grays one up ,this was no more than the Blues deserved on the balance of play, Cheshunt keeper Gilbert was being kept busy with saves from both Dumarka and Nouble.

Cheshunt continued to counter attack and were rewarded with a free kick on the edge of the area which was turned over by Gough with the resultant corner coming to nothing.

The second half continued in similar vein with Blues dominating the opening exchanges ,on 46 minutes Beaney was inches wide following a free kick on the edge of the area.

Cheshunt were beginning to see more of the ball as the Blues began to relax and in the 51st minute a speculative shot from the lively Ben Andrews ...was just wide .From a Cheshunt corner Andrews again was unlucky when his close range effort rebounded off the post.This stung Grays into action and on 55 minutes Dumakas spin and shot brought a good save from Gilbert in the Cheshunt goal

Rod Young was continuing to impress out wide ,in the 57th minute he was unlucky as his shot on the turn went just wide of the post.

It was fitting that Kwasi Marfo should get on the scoresheet with a cross shot to put the Blues two up on 64 minutes, shortly after Nouble was replaced by Jay Knight for his first start of the season, and Jordan Sidhu replacing Marfo.
Cheshunt gave the Blues a fright on 69 minutes with a fierce drive rattling the crossbar with Gough beaten. Young continued to cause Cheshunts rearguard problems and from a jinking run he played the ball into Dumaka but he fired over when well placed. On 79 minutes Blues were awarded a free kick with Jay Sivas effort scraping the outside of the post .

With the job seemingly done Bentley was replaced by Jordan Wilson on 82 minutes and the Blues played out the remaining minutes to seal a comfortable victory.

The Blues came through what on paper looked a tricky tie and will now meet AFC Sudbury in the quarter Finals who include Blues favourites Craig Pope, Lee Flynn and Kris Newby in their line up.

Grays Athletic: Gough Best-Riley Morrison-Derbyshire Leader Siva Marfo Bentley Beaney Young Nouble Dumaka
Subs: Knight Parry Wilson Sidhu
Att:84