Still no joy for Blues

Grays Ath drew another blank on Saturday, away at Essex rivals Brightlingsea Regent, in a game of few clear chances that somehow escaped the worst of the autumnal weather.

The early exchanges were rather scrappy, with both sides having to adapt to the wet underfoot conditions and blustery wind. The first chance fell to Blues recent nemesis Derek Asamoah, now plying his trade in north Essex rather than north London, but for once he couldn’t find a finish. For a period, Grays then had the better opportunities, although mostly long-range efforts, with the home defence bravely putting bodies in the way to block several thunderbolts.

Throughout though, Brightlingsea were playing the more composed football, with Grays not closing down from the front, and too often giving the home side easy passage out of defensive situations. Just before the half hour, Blues fans held their breath again, when a long ball found the advancing Asamoah, but this time it was Michael Finneran’s turn to get in a great block to snuff out the chance.

But the writing was on the wall. Charles Brown-Bampoe should have done better with a chance from inside the Grays box, but blazed over. And then on 37 minutes, a Brightlingsea corner was partially cleared to defender Charlie Durling, on the edge of the penalty area, and his shot was deflected goalwards by Jake Thompson, for a 1-0 lead.

And it was 2-0 shortly afterwards, when a seemingly innocuous cross to the near post found its way into the net past keeper Danny Sambridge off Michael Finneran.

Half time: Brightlingsea Regent 2 v 0 Grays Athletic

The second half pretty much followed the pattern of the first, with few clear goalscoring opportunities and Brightlingsea playing the more controlled game, looking to preserve what they had.

After 50 minutes, Grays finally won their first corner of the afternoon, which was readily cleared by the home defence. And soon after, Finneran was again the saviour, when Asamoah took advantage of a horlicks by the Grays midfield, but once more the Blues defender produced a fine saving challenge.

Blues were then given a somewhat fortuitous route back into the game when referee Mr Hathway awarded a penalty for a close-range handball by Thompson from a Jesse Olukolu cross. The defender had a right to feel aggrieved but Sam Bantick despatched the spot kick, to halve the deficit - but was then immediately replaced upfront by David Knight.

Olukolu nearly set up an equaliser for Charlie Stimson, who should have done better in front of goal. Sambridge then produced the best save of the game, flying to his left to deny Zack Littlejohn, whose shot from the edge of the box looked destined for the back of the net.

The saddest sight of the day though occurred ten minutes from time, when Olukolu stayed down, clearly in real distress after a regulation challenge for the ball. He was eventually taken off on a stretcher and we wish Jesse well for a speedy recovery. He was replaced by Aron Gordon who in the time left on the clock produced Grays’ best passages of play across the afternoon. Three of his signature pacy, mazy runs had the home defence retreating but Blues couldn’t carve out a clear chance to trouble keeper, Lewis Greene.

So Grays winless run goes on. The second half performance showed some character, preventing the game from getting away, but Brightlingsea’s better structure and use of the ball won the day.

Final score: Brightlingsea Regent 2 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Saponara (Osei-Bobie, 46), Peart, Boxall, Finneran, Dicks, Soares-Junior, Stimson, Bantick (Knight, 62), Clark, Olukolu (Gordon, 81)

Sub not used: Thackway