Honours even in Athletic meeting

Grays Athletic 1-1 VCD Athletic

It finished all square at Mill Field on Saturday as these two sides faced each other for the second time within a week following Blues 2-1 victory on Tuesday.In truth it must be said for the home side it was a case of two points dropped rather than one gained.With a firm playing surface and tricky wind blowing VCD coped with the conditions better than the Blues and would have gone home disappointed with only the one point.

The only consolation for Grays was moving up from 14th place in the table having been stuck there for nearly two months.It was a lacklustre performance littered with misplaced passes and missed goal scoring opportunities.

Blues welcomed back Harry Agonbar who will remain on loan until the end of the season with Correy Davidson returning to the side .

Grays kicked off with the strong wind at their backs and straightaway forced a throw deep in the visitors half which was nodded over by Dumaka .VCD were being pinned back in the early stages as Blues applied pressure Jaoa Carlos weaved his way through on a good run getting a shot in which was deflected for a corner,Siva took the kick ,Blue in the visitors goal claimed the ball under what was deemed unfair pressure from Leader.

After early Grays pressure the visitors slowly gained the initiative with a succession of neat passing movements belying the difficult playing surface as they carried on from where they left off in the previous meeting.Grays were working hard to win the ball only to concede possession with under hit passes in dangerous areas.Bremner in particular was causing real problems with his intelligent running he was unlucky when one effort eluded Johnson and thankfully the far post.

Blues were only threatening spasmodically, Dumaka hesitated when through on goal and the danger was cleared,he followed this up with a neat turn and shot gaining a corner which Agonbar just failed to make contact with.Blue then made a somewhat extravagant save from Kenny Beaney but it was the visitors who were bossing the game being more determined and winning the physical battles but without carving out any real goal chances.

Agonbar did well to get something on an awkward ball from Derbyshire,he was unlucky moments later after good work by Bentley and Carlos seeing his curled effort fly tantalisingly wide.

VCD really should have opened their account on 41 minutes when Beaney gave the ball away needlessly on the half way line leaving Duckworth a clear run on goal but Johnson did well to narrow the angle and did just enough to force his effort wide of the post.

0-0

After a rather dour opening half which mirrored the weather both sets of fans fans were hoping for something or someone to spark the game into life and they didn't have to wait long.The visitors forced an early corner which Johnson pushed out only to be returned by Bremner who saw his effort sail harmlessly wide. Then on 49 minutes Dumaka won the ball on the half way line driving forward he played a delightful ball into the speedy Davidson and with a cool head on young shoulders he slotted the ball past Blue to put Grays one up.

VCD will have felt history was repeating itself as despite controlling the game for long periods they found themselves facing another battle to get back into the game which they set about doing.Johnson was again called into action collecting a floated free kick at the third attempt resembling a circus juggler,danger man Bremner tested him again with a fierce shot parried by the keeper.

There then followed a period of Grays pressure as first Davidson fired wide he then played in Carlos but Blue did well to smother the ball.The Blues came close to increasing their lead on 66 minutes when following a Siva free kick a VCD clearance fell to Leader he saw his volley saved well by Blue with his legs.

The lively Davidson had picked up an injury and was replaced by Quincy Marfo on 69 minutes Blues fans were hoping he would have the same influence following his introduction in the previous encounter but it was that man Bremner for the visitors who changed the game.VCD won a corner Duckworth whipped in a vicious ball and with the Blues defenders static Bremner nipped in and glanced the ball past Johnson to bring the scores level.

Grays now went looking for the winner but were let down by a combination of poor passing and a reluctance to get a shot on target electing to overplay when a goal scoring opportunity presented itself much to the frustration of the home fans.

Bentley gave way to Jordan Wilson but he was also carless with his distribution which the visitors gladly took advantage of,all these errors were at least creating some excitement compared to the first period,both sides now desperately looking for the breakthrough as the clock ticked down with Leaders' header being the final goal scoring opportunity of the game.

So not one of the Blues better performances nevertheless they still remain unbeaten in their last 6 games and despite being below par still managed to pick up a point.An outside chance of a play off place may now be just out of their reach although they still have plenty to play for,a top ten finish is certainly achievable couple that with the up coming League Cup Final then an exciting end to the season is in prospect providing they can stay clear of too many injuries.

Blues will face Tonbridge Angels at Mill Field on Wednesday evening,they will certainly be looking to avenge a disappointing performance the last time they met in the FA Trophy but a repeat of the league win will further increase the chances of a top ten finish.