Met Police arrest Grays good run

Report from the Mariner

Grays Athletic 0-1 Metropolitan Police

The Blues came up against playoff hopefuls Met Police on Wednesday night at Mill Field and despite a spirited second half performance came off second best to a well organised Met side.
Mark Bentley made one enforced change to the starting eleven with Nathan Ferguson replacing the unwell James Stevens in midfield.

It was a tentative opening period with both sides probing for an opening,the first real chance fell to Grays when following good interplay Kenny Beaney was denied by Met custodian King turning the ball round for a corner,from the resultant kick Manny Parry's header just going wide.

The visitors were beginning to show why they are play off contenders as they gradually began to gain a foothold with former Blue Hudson- Odoi looking particularly dangerous out wide on the left and his rasping drive was well saved by Connor Gough at the expense of a corner.Blues were indebted to their keeper as he made a number of vital saves to thwart the Met's lively forwards.

On 18 minutes the Met were awarded what looked a soft penalty when Parry was penalised for what looked nothing more than a fair shoulder to shoulder charge.Collins stepped up but his spot kick was brilliantly saved by Gough to keep the scores level.

Jaoa Carlos was looking lively making some penetrating runs one such resulting in a corner after his shot was deflected.GB Dumaka turned and shot but the ball was gathered comfortably by King,Joel Nouble then worked an opening but his effort was smothered by King.

The visitors movement off the ball was causing the Blues problems as they were pinned back in their own half,the ever dependable Jay Leader was prominent in the aerial duels as the Met continued to look for an opening.

Blues forward raids were becoming more sporadic ,Carlos again ran at the visitors defence but his resultant shot didn't carry enough power to trouble King.

HT 0-0

The second period started with another mazy run from Carlos as he played a searching ball through to Nouble who should have done better but hesitation cost him the chance to get a strike on goal and the danger was cleared.To their credit the young Blues took the game to the visitors creating a number of openings which they spurned tending to overplay the ball when a strike on goal was often the better option.

The Met in contrast were continuing to cause the home defence problems with their direct running ,Gough again saved well from the ever dangerous Hudson-Odoi as the visitors looked the more likely to break the deadlock.

The fading Nathan Ferguson was replaced by manager Bentley on 57 minutes to try and add some bite to the Blues midfield as they continued to press for that elusive opening goal.

But it was the Met who opened the scoring with that man Hudson-Odoi the catalyst chasing down a through ball,Bentley would have been disappointed as he seemed to have the ball covered but the Met man turned quickly to wrong foot the Grays man whipping in a cross ball which Matt Pattison stabbed past Gough to put the visitors one up.

This stung the Blues into action as they continued to press for the equaliser, Bentley's 25 yarder brought a fine save from King but again chances went begging as the home side
just seemed to lack that killer instinct.

The Met made a number of substitutions as they looked to close the game down ,Jordan Wilson was replaced by new signing Correy Davison who did enough in the short time he was on to suggest his pace will be a welcome addition to the Blues midfield.

The Blues forced a number of corners King saved well from a Leader header,Carlos saw a speculative effort fall just wide.The visitors were still posing a threat with occasional forays forward which the home rearguard managed to deal with.

For all their pressure the Blues could not force any clear cut chances,although Davidson did well as he ran at the visitors defence with his shot well saved by King.In the dying minutes Blues thought they should have had a penalty when a Met defender appeared to handle but Mr Norcott turned away their appeals.

So a disappointing evening for Bentley's Blues tempered by the fact they came up against a well organised Met Police side who will probably feature in the end of season playoffs.

A more clinical approach in front of goal and more care when in possession are the lessons they must take from tonight's encounter something I am sure Mark Bentley will be working on on the training ground.In the meantime the Blues will have a quick opportunity to avenge tonight's setback as they travel to Imber Court on Saturday in the return fixture.

Grays Athletic : Gough Best-Riley Siva Leader Parry Wilson Ferguson Beaney Dumaka Nouble Carlos
Subs: Bentley Johnson Morrison-Derbyshire Marfo Davidson

Metropolitan Police: King Salmon Lovett Crook Sutherland Ahamed Collins Taylor Turner Pattison Hudson-Odoi
Subs: Aldred Joseph Lovegrove Bunn Searle

Att: 121