Victory at last in 9 goal thriller

Writes Richard M

Exactly 7 months to the day after their last win, Grays Athletic's mens first team, finally tasted victory in this 3rd round of the Essex Senior Cup tie against an impressive Athletic Newham FC.

This was new manager, Darren Manning's first game in charge and he will be delighted to get off the mark immediately. There was plenty to admire but, as you would expect from a team who have struggled to get results, a lot to work on too. Darren named the same team who started versus Brentwood with one positional change, Sam Ellwood was switched from right to left back, allowing Jordan Peart to move forward, with Marcus Milner reverting to his favoured right back role.

Grays started quickly and should have led in the 2nd minute. A good ball by Jamie Dicks found Jordan Peart on the left. His fine cross on the run begged to be put away but Charlie Stimson's header was just over the bar. Two minutes later and David Knight played a neat 1-2 and crossed from the right, with Rob Clark's header requiring a clearance from Michael Okafor.

Athletic Newham started to edge back into the game winning the ball back and showing their ability on transition from defence into attack. A couple of attempts from distance were either off target or comfortable for Finn Thackaway in the Grays goal. But just as Newham appeared to be getting on top, Grays struck on 20 minutes. A move broke down in the box, but Aron Gordon recycled the ball, drove forward and smashed the ball home; a great finish!

Two minutes later and a quick ball from Ellwood was flicked on cleverly by Knight, finding Gordon running through. Aron drew the keeper, Beqiri, before firing in for 2-0. Indeed Aron could have had a hat trick in 3 minutes as straight from the kick off he had a half chance which was well blocked.

So far so good, but nothing has been easy this season and Athletic Newham seized on Grays inability to control the ball up front and in midfield. On 32 minutes, a cross from the left wing found Joel Appiah in the box. His first touch gained a yard and the finish on the turn was clinical, 2-1.

The next 10 minutes was a comedy of errors from a Grays perspective as Newham, lifted by the goal, took total control. Michael Finneran and Teddy Jones both made fine blocks to deny Newham's main man, Richard Kone before on 35 minutes, Babs Sonupe picked a lovely pass from the right into Appiah in space on the edge of the box and his first time finish brooked no argument, 2-2.

It could and should have been worse, as Fin Thackway made a superb full length save to deny the impressive Daniel Izekor. Poor ball retention on the right saw Izekor played through again and once more Thackway came to the rescue. From the corner Grays were caught napping and lucky that Kone was a fraction off target.

Half time; Athletic Newham 2 v 2 Grays Athletic

The break came at a good time for Grays and they soon regained the initiative. Gordon, who had a huge influence all evening, won a corner on the right and from Jamie Dicks' curling delivery, Charlie Stimson finished with a simple header. 49 minutes gone and 3-2.

Hoewever, on 54 minutes, Grays once again coughed up possession too easily up front and Newham showed their capabilities on the counter. Kone was stopped in the box, but Izekor, following up, curled in past an unsighted Thackway for 3-3.

Both sides made substitutions and within 2 minutes of coming on, Ruben Soares Jr, impacted the game, taking a good crossfield ball from David Knight, cutting inside and from over 20 yards out, finishing expertly into the far corner. 4-3.

Grays had the initiative and after a good move involving Soares and Milner, an excellent cross was met at the far post by a Clark volley which was goalbound but for a block by the powerful frame of substitute, Chris Nguidjol.

The resulting corner was cleared, but Dicks found Clark on the left and his delicious first time cross was gobbled up by Michael Finneran on the far post. 72 minutes gone and 5-3!

Anyone thinking that was game over could not have been more wrong as Newham to their credit came roaring back. A right wing cross to Kone looked sure to lead to a goal but his header was brilliantly blocked by Milner. As the clock ticked down, Darren rang the changes bringing on promising youngsters, Sery, Stanford-Clarke and Boxall plus the legend that is Joao Carlos.

On 89 minutes, Kone took down a long ball from the right and fed Andy Greenslade, who expertly split the defence with a reverse pass, Tom Gogo finishing calmly for 5-4! Into injury time and there was always going to be a last chance, with it going to Gogo, who's shot was saved by Thackaway's feet.

So a hugely valuable victory putting Grays into the next round and giving players and supporters a big boost before Saturday's game at Stowmarket Town.

All kudos to Athletic Newham. Their attacks played on the ground at pace with forward players interchanging with one another, were as good as I have seen this season, providing an object lesson in how to play on the 3G surface. We wish them well for, what will surely be a successful, remainder of the season.

Finally a word of thanks to the match officials who played a full part in allowing the game to flow and communicating well with the players. The result of their efforts was a game as entertaining as we have seen in a long time.

Final score: Athletic Newham 4 v 5 Grays Athletic