Season's end can't come soon enough

Blues season is drawing to a close with more of a whimper than a bang as they fell to another poor defeat on Saturday at Essex neighbours Witham Town. Manager Darren Manning faced a selection dilemma with first choice starters Michael Finneran, Alejandro Machado and Charlie Stimson all unavailable for various reasons. The line-up therefore showed something of a patched-up look but that cannot excuse some players seemingly not giving 100% for the shirt.

From the outset, the home side just seemed to want it more, chasing down every ball and being more committed in the challenge. That said, a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch made for very difficult conditions and too often passes were either overhit or held up in the breeze.

In the first half there was therefore little of quality to note from either side. Early on, Billy Crook intercepted the ball in midfield and was close to putting Albert Perry through and midway through the half, Lewis Duberry made space on the edge of the box but shot wide. Witham were most dangerous when they got the ball wide, especially to ex-Blue Josh Osude, who still has pace to burn. But Blues were largely able to contain the home attack to shots from distance, with Deese Kasinga Madia trying his luck several times, but only once causing Anthony Page in the Grays goal any real concern.

Grays should have taken the lead just before the half-time break when Perry got on the end of a long clearance and found himself one-on-one with the home keeper, Harry Fairs, who saved well, and Billy Crook could not take advantage of the rebound. And they were made to pay when soon after, the referee gave WItham what looked to be a very cheap penalty for a pile-up of bodies in the Grays box. Osude made no mistake with the spot-kick for a 1-0 lead.

Half time: Witham Town 1 v 0 Grays Athletic

Almost straight from the kick-off, Witham attacked down the right wing and the ball fell to Khristopher Oti close in, who brought out a great point-blank save from Page, who turned the ball round the post for a corner.

The two sides then traded shots. Gianni Ashley let fly from distance, which Fairs tipped over and then Osude rattled the crossbar from close range.

Blues thought they should have had a penalty of their own, when Fairs failed to control the ball and Albert Perry nipped in and hit the deck. But the referee must have concluded that the keeper was just the first to the ball. It’s a common observation that when you’re in Grays’ position, these kinds of decisions don’t go your way. (It must also be noted that on his first start, Perry ran his heart out up front, for little return).

And to make matters worse, just a couple of minutes later Osude used his pace again, made space and shot across Page into the net to make it 2-0.

A late highlight for Blues was the sight of Joao Carlos coming off the bench and showing the level of commitment and energy required to make a difference at this level. Once a legend……
So Grays have just one game left to put more points on the board, next Saturday at home to Ipswich Wanderers. Can the squad rise to the challenge ?

Final score: Witham Town 2 v 0 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Page, Ashley, Skarna, Milner, Clarke, Humphrey, Sartorius (Berri, 82), Duberry, Perry (Carlos, 82), Crook, Gordon

Subs not used: Matyar, Wilson