First half capitulation sinks Blues

Grays produced a horror show of a first 45 minutes against Walthamstow on Saturday, effectively conceding the three points before the half time teas had been bought. Once again, the concession of an early goal, led to the Blues chasing the game for most of the match and, unlike at New Salamis a week ago, finding little to cheer to Blues faithful.

It could though all have been so different. In just the second minute, Elliot Sartorius had a great chance to open the scoring but couldn’t find a finish and then Aron Gordon darted into the box but lost possession when bearing down on goal.

The breakthrough for Walthamstow, after ten minutes, was simplicity itself. A long ball out of defence caught the home side napping and former Blue Brian Moses-Songolo reacted quickest to chase the ball down and fire a fine shot from the right corner of the box past Danny Sambridge for a 1-0 lead.

Grays huffed and puffed but created little of note. Bobby Unwin was as lively as anyone and Billy Crook looked to mop up what he could in midfield.

The second goal for Walthmstow, just after the half hour, was so similar to the first. Moses-Songolo finding Ryan Hervel with a through pass and a clinical finish past the keeper. Then the horror show really kicked in. Sartorius underhit a back pass that Moses-Songolo intercepted readily and he finished calmly to make it 3-0 and then just before the break a bout of pinball in the Blues six yard box ended up with the ball ending up in the net off of Michael Finneran, making it 4-0 before half time. Only a loud shout for handball in the Walthamstow penalty area, after an Unwin shot provided any respite.

Half time: Grays Athletic 0 v 4 Walthamstow

The second half was something of a non-entity. The visitors were rightly content to sit and hold what they had. And despite Blues having much of the ball, Roraigh Browne in the visitors’ goal barely got his gloves dirty.

The highlight of the half was a fine, flying save by Sambridge from a long range Kymani Thomas effort, which prevented the scoreline becoming worse for the Blues. Oli Sotoyinbo cold also have added to the misery but he headed wide from a Jared Small cross.

What chances the home side did create they spurned. Charlie Stimson was twice guilty of missing the target with headers from close range. Only Unwin made Browne work for his match fee.

So a day to forget for Grays, and fair play to Walthamstow for taking advantage. But from his post match comments, one suspects that the manager, Darren Manning might remember things more.

Final score: Grays Athletic 0 v 4 Walthamstow

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Ashley, Peart, Crook, Finneran, Humphrey, Unwin, Machado (Osei-Bobie, 77), Stimson, Sartorius, Gordon (Cosgrave, 46)