The Blues started the match with enthusiasm as they took the game to the Chats with Kenny Beaney at the heart of the away teams’ movement. An early clearance from Andy Hall found Jean-Michel Sigere in space, but his pass to Joao Carlos was cut out for a corner. The resultant corner was cleared but the stall was set for the game.

Junior Baker was solid as usual, and a clever pass to Louis Dennis saw some nimble footwork to find David Cowley in space, and his sweetly hit shot was saved by Adam Molloy in the home goal. The Blues defence had to be wary as Garry Tilley for the home side looked dangerous on the right as the Chats moved forward and a great catch by Hall stopped the move.

Carlos should have opened the scoring for Grays when clear, but a sharp save by Molloy saw the ball clear. The Blues were in control as they covered Chatham’s moves with some good hassling and movement, and pushed forward looking for the goals that their play deserved. Harry Agombar was getting more into the game and tested Molloy with a sharply hit corner that had to be punched away.

Grays moved forward in numbers trying to release Sigere and Dennis but the Chats played the offside perfectly as time and again Dennis was left stranded. Some great interplay from the Blues saw Cowley, Baker, Beaney and Dennis all have attempts beaten away by the home defence.
The opening goal finally came when Dennis found himself clear only to be turned and felled by Chris Hill in the box. Agombar stepped up confidently to put the ball past Molloy to make it 1- 0 with eight minutes of the half left.
An end-to-end last five minutes saw stalemate as the ref blew for the break.

Chatham came out for the second period determined to get into the game as Adam Marsh and Tilley moved down the wings looking for space, and a defensive misunderstanding between Beaney and Baker allowed Newman through for Hall to make a vital save.

Agombar and Dennis were the liveliest of the Blues team as Grays started to get back into the half. A free kick by Agombar was headed off the line by the under pressure home defence. Dennis picked up the ball and ran past several players only to see his shot tipped over the bar by Molloy for a corner. Agombar took the corner and his curling shot evaded everyone in the box to go into the net direct to give Blues their second goal ten minutes into the half.

Chatham still kept pushing and forced some excellent saves from Hall. A free kick by Kes Metitri was smartly punched away under pressure from Newman, and a chance by Joe Fuller was covered by Craig Pope as Hall stopped the danger.

The half started to become very competitive as niggly tackles crept in, and the ref struggled to keep control, resulting in several yellow cards being shown, but the Blues defence kept their heads as Chatham looked to get on the score sheet. John Pilbeam and Rob Denness came on for the Chats as they pushed forward and both had attempts cleared as the home team had control for the last ten minutes.

Danny Bunce and Jared Small came on for Cowley and Sigere respectively as the Blues tried to steady the pressure, but the defence held to keep another clean sheet. A late sub saw Eljay Worrell come on for Beaney but the victory was confirmed as the ref blew for full time to leave Grays unbeaten in five league games and one point clear at the top.

Grays Athletic: - Andy Hall, Craig Pope, Junior Baker, Bradley Thomas, Lee Flynn, David Cowley (Danny Bunce 72), Harry Agombar, Kenny Beaney (Eljay Worrell 84), Joao Carlos, Louis Dennis, Jean-Michel Sigere (Jared Small 79)

Subs not used: - Grant Cooper, Jason Fontaine.

Chatham Town: - Adam Molloy, Ryan Laker (John Pilbeam 71), Jason Barton (Jon Hogg 45), Brad Potter, Chris Hill, Kes Metitri, Adam Marsh (Rob Denness 59), Matt Solly, Joe Fuller, Matt Newman, Garry Tilley

Subs not used: - Charlie Glyde, Tony Kessell

Report by Steve Allen