Friday night blues for Blues

On Friday night, Grays Athletic suffered their second defeat in a few days against one of the division’s promotion-chasing sides with a 3-1 reverse away at Brentwood.

On a tricky pitch, that passed an afternoon inspection after heavy overnight rain, the early exchanges were fairly even, with both sides trying to get the ball down with play ending up in a series of midfield battles. The first half chance indeed fell to Grays, when a Matas Skarna cross found Charlie Stimson, who shot over.

Brentwood responded quickly and from a corner, Romel Aarons Royal rifled a shot that Anthony Page did well to turn over. The home side were gaining control of the game, putting the Blues defensive line, shorn of injured skipper Michael Finneran, under increasing pressure. And eventually something had to give. Keeper, Page fumbled a free kick that came through a crowd of players and with the ball bouncing around, Aarons Royal poked home to take a 1-0 lead.

Grays finally managed to start to play some better football. Aron Gordon intercepted possession and went on a long run down the pitch but then pulled the ball behind Skarna, when a better pass could have created a gilt-edged chance for the Blues. Skarna then turned provider with a cross into the box but Billy Crook failed to connect with the ball completely.

Brentwood are though a strong side, with pace, size and strength throughout. Up front, George Sykes and Mekhi Mckenzie were a constant threat.

Just before the break, Grays created their best chance of the half. Gordon made his way into the penalty area but his shot was well saved by home keeper, Melvin Minter, and Aaron Clarke’s follow-up was blocked by the home defence.

But there was still time for the night’s moment of controversy. Jonathan Nzengo went down in the box under very little pressure from Billy Crook but the referee gave no quarter and awarded the penalty, which Wyan Reid converted to make it 2-0.

Half time: Brentwood Town 2 v 0 Grays Athletic

The home side made the early running in the second half and McKenzie should have done better with a header just five minutes in.

But moments later, Blues got themselves back into the contest. A long ball out of defence found Gordon out wide and he cut into the box. His shot was blocked but came back to him and he found Matas Skarna lurking in the area and he finished smartly to reduce the arrears to 2-1.

If only they could have held the position for a while, the pressure would have started to grow on the home side, but as so often with sides at the lower end of the table, things don’t work out that way. Brentwood are not where they are for no reason and they looked to fight back quickly. Alejandro Machado hooked one effort off the line after which comedy hour broke out in the Blues area with the ball pinging around. Wyan Reid brought about a moment of calm and his cross found McKenzie unmarked close in, giving him a clear chance to make it 3-1 to Brentwood.

The home side then looked to preserve what they had, allowing Blues more of the ball but never looking in any real danger of conceding again. Indeed, it was sub Alex Akrofi who came closest for Brentwood, as he chased down a ball over the top, but was forced too wide to score.

So again, Grays came up short against one the teams at the higher end of the table, situations they have struggled with all season. Some of the football was though of good quality and they never let heads drop.

Final score: Brentwood Town 3 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Page, Clarke, Ashley, Machado, Humphrey (Matyar, 59), Milner, Skarna, Duberry (Sartorius, 80), Stimson, Crook, Gordon (Perry, 69)

Subs not used: Finneran, Craddock