Blues reach play-off spot

The scenario - New Years Day Grays Athletic meet AFC Hornchurch in a local derby and produce a dismal performance to lose the game 2-0. Jody Brown has jumped ship to Welling United leaving Andy Swallow to step in as caretaker manager, players morale low, supporters morale even lower, thoughts of a relegation fight a distinct possibility. Mark Bentley appointed caretaker manager his first such appointment. Future prospects uncertain.

Fast forward to April Fools Day, a battling win against Wingate and Finchley,players morale sky high, fans morale in the stratosphere and a playoff place a distinct possibility, and the catalyst for all this? Mark Bentley, now christened Super Benno. The turn round in the last three months has been truly remarkable and Benno has done it without any histrionics,j ust quietly imparting knowledge which his young charges have soaked up.

Blues secured another three points tonight against a very good Wingate and Finchley team who stretched the Blues right to the end and all this despite playing a punishing four games in eight days,Blues extending their unbeaten run of league games to ten into the bargain.

Wingate started brightly Read testing Lamar Johnson with a rasping drive after just two minutes,Winger Oliyide was proving a real danger with his pacy runs teasing the home defence as Grays found it difficult to get into the game in the early stages.

Oliyide played a dangerous ball into the Blues box which Nathan Ferguson deflected to Read his efforts was blocked by Jay Leader.Knight then saw his 35 yarder spilled by Johnson at the expense of a corner as the visitors tried to prise an opening.

The Blues rode out the early visitors pressure and gradually began to ask their own questions Bradley Fornum-Tomlinson looked lively linking the play with some deft touches one felt his pace was unsettling the Wingate rearguard and Joaoa Carlos was getting the better of Joao out wide .

It was Carlos who was to provide the Blues with their opener on 18minutes picking the ball up midway in the visitors half he set off on one of his characteristic runs rounding the fullback he beat Day with an angled drive low into the far corner to put Grays one up.

The goal stunned Wingate allowing Grays to apply their own pressure,Jordan Wilson was now seeing more of the ball he saw one effort fly over,shortly after the Blues increased their advantage from the penalty spot on 18 minutes!Carlos was impeded as he broke into the Wingate area and despite vociferous protests from the visitors James Stevens stepped up and confidently placed the ball wide of Day.

Wilson should have added a third when through on Day but he elected to play the ball to Tomlinson who's resultant shot was blocked, a great move between Siva and Carlos found Harry Agonbar who hit a first time shot just wide.

It was important Grays maintained their two goal advantage going into the break but on the
stroke of half time Wingate were given a lifeline,the ball pinged around the Grays box without a defender getting in a challenge eventually finding the unmarked Knight who gratefully slotted home

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The goal before the break had obviously given the visitors a lift and they immediately pressed Grays back winning a corner which was dealt with successfully.Grays were finding it difficult to build up momentum as Wingate applied pressure pinning the home side in their own half ,Sean Cronin and Manny Parry were called into action to thwart the danger,these two have built a formidable partnership in such a short time together Cronin in particular looking calm but decisive in his interceptions.

The effects of two games in 72 hours was clearly having taking its toll on Grays as they tended to stand off their opponents but still looked dangerous on the counterattack,Carlos appeared to be nearly back to his irrepressible best taunting the Wingate defenders with his pace and guile.

For all their pressure Wingate were not causing Johnson any real problems with the Blues now relying on hitting Wingate on the break.Kenny Beaney entered the fray at the expense of Wilson and set about bringing the Blues back into the game.Agonbar had the first Grays shot on goal in the half for the home side who were naturally beginning to look leggy not surprising given their punishing schedule but they were given a huge lift on 70 minutes when that man Carlos won the ball on the half way line driving forward he advanced on the visitors goal drawing out Day and with calm composure netted his second goal of the game to give Grays daylight between the sides.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors for a time allowing the Blues to gain some territorial advantage putting together some nice touches to take the sting out of the game,Wingate however to their credit came back in the dying embers of the game and were rewarded with a last gasp penalty courtesy of a rush of blood from Johnson who made a reckless challenge on Lake allowing Knight to convert his second of the night from the spot.

The win propelled Grays to 5th in the table and a play off position,the question is can they stay there?Only time will tell,what they do have however is momentum a force which breeds confidence and a belief in their ability to get results no matter who the oposition or their League standing.

The Holy Trinity of Bentley,Raven and Little have been there and done it before ,for sure they will not be carried away by the current situation but will quietly carry on what they have been doing over the last few weeks,imparting their vast knowledge and tactical nous to bring out the best in their young charges.For the loyal Blues fans this current run reminds some of that great charge to the Division one title two years ago when results were ground out and is just reward for all the volunteers who put in so much time and money to ensure the club can survive let alone prosper,let's also not forget Andy Swallow's wise decision to appoint Bentley manager.

Four far from easy games remain with the first of those against fellow promotion contenders East Thurrock on Easter Monday,Grays will be anxious to avenge the home defeat in what was a lack lustre performance back in December.