So near and yet so far for Blues

Football can be a cruel mistress. In the face of a daunting trip to high-flying Felixstowe & Walton, Grays Ath produced their best performance of the season by some distance but still somehow came away empty-handed.

After their customary early scare in front of goal, it was Grays who settled into the better rhythm. And they were rewarded on 12 minutes, when a long clearance from Danny Sambridge caused panic in the home defence, Bobby Unwin looked to add to the chaos and Charlie Stimson bundled the ball into the net.

Soon after though, the referee, who had a disappointing first half awarded the home side a penalty for an apparent handball against a Blues defender - no-one had appealed, all the players had played on. Joe Whight scored from the spot to level at 1-1.

Grays were though matching Felixstowe at every turn. And the referee then added further amongst the travelling faithful. Another long clearance out of defence, fell to Stimson who was bundled over in the box but play was waved on. As the old saying goes, when you’re in Blues’ position, these things go against you.

That said, the referee then chose to annoy the home fans by awarding Grays an indirect free kick in the box, for what was deemed to be a back pass to the keeper by Jack Ainsley. It seemed both assistants were consulted on the minutiae of the laws but the award stood. Billy Crook was though unable to blast the ball through the sea of bodies in the area.

Malaki Toussaint cleared the bar with a shot for Grays and Stuart Ainsley sent a cross skimming across the visitors six yard box but no-one was there to apply a finish.

Half-time: Felixstowe & Walton 1 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays came out for the second half looking to continue their promising showing. Bobby Unwin and Billy Crook were pulling strings in midfield. But it was a rare foray into the opposition box by Andy George that set up Codey Cosgrave who fired a shot past home keeper, Joshua Blunkell, to regain the lead for Blues.

Zak Brown shot wide for Felixstowe but then from a corner, club top scorer, Callum Harrison, off the bench forced the ball home to equalise the scores again.

The home side looked to press for the win. Joshua Hitter’s long throw-ins were a constant danger. Sub Joshua Mayhew hit the crossbar and Samuel Ford caused Danny Sambridge to scramble a save. But the Blues defence held firm. Codey Cosgrave also showed some outrageous skill in midfield but the Felixstowe back line cleared comfortably.

As the clock ticked down, Grays looked to hold on to their precious point and could have taken more but Cosgrave was brought down outside the box. Then deep into added time, Blues hearts were broken when Mayhew was left with too much space to win the game 3-2 for Felixstowe. Even then, there was still time for Blues star man, Elliot Sartorius to create one final chance that went begging for Grays.

Given their recent performances, this was a huge improvement for Grays, and it was cruel for them to leave Suffolk with nothing to show for the efforts. But continue in this fashion and the points will come.

Final score: Felixstowe & Walton 3 v 2 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Matyar (Ashley, 60), Humphrey, Toussaint, Finneran, George, Sartorius, Crook, Stimson, Cosgrave, Unwin

Subs not used: Lagopodis, Ederbiri, Osei-Bobie, Carlos