Two goals from marksman, Sam Bantick, were enough to give Grays Ath a 2-1 hard-fought victory over local rivals Tilbury in the traditional season curtain-raiser, the Stan Veness Memorial Trophy.
Grays had the better of the opening exchanges, with Aron Gordon looking particularly lively. It was his long range shot in just the 5th minute that created the first alarm for the visitors, with ex-Docker Brian Moses unable to profit from the rebound. Soon after Sam Bantick went close with the ball bouncing off the back stanchion of the goal frame. Gordon then went on another of his long mazy runs on the quarter-hour, evading several strong challenges before getting his shot away.
So, it was somewhat against the run of play that Tilbury took the lead, but with a fine goal. A long, sweeping move down the right wing found its way to Alex Clark, unmarked in front of goal, for the easiest of tap-ins and a 1-0 lead.
Both sides pressed but without creating any real clear chances, Moses and Malachi Toussaint for Grays and Lewis Smith for Tilbury all being guilty of not making more of their opportunities.
Half time: Grays Ath 0 v 1 Tilbury
Blues manager Lewis Dark introduced Correy Davidson and Josh Osude for the second half, injecting more pace and direction into the home team’s play. On 52 minutes, Toussaint sprung the offside trap and although he couldn’t find a finish, the pressure was beginning to tell. Just four minutes later Gordon went on another burst forward, finding Sam Bantick in the box, who took his time and finished coolly from 12 yards for the equaliser.
Rob Clark was seeing much more of the ball in midfield and twice tried his luck from long range. Then on 76 minutes, it was his pinpoint long ball that found Davidson out wide on the left, whose close control and cross saw Bantick get in front of his marker and finish smartly from close range for a 2-1 lead.
Grays pushed for a third, with Osude twice seeing shots across the goal from narrow angles, go wide. Tilbury remained in the hunt only the one goal down, but Lewis Clark and Geoff Okonkwo kept the Dockers quick attacks at bay. Both sides were also intrigued by some of the officiating, but these things even out over time.
It wouldn’t be a Grays / Tilbury derby without an altercation or two on the pitch. This time it took until the last five minutes before tempers flared, with most of the players deciding to get involved in some capacity and the referee brandishing a flurry of yellow cards.
Both sides had a late chance but nothing changed on the scoreboard.
Full time: Grays Ath 2 v 1 Tilbury
Sam Bantick is fast becoming a fans’ favourite for the Blues, now with six goals in six pre-season fixtures. He promises to make fine contribution to the coming season. We wish Tilbury well, as they look forward to a new chapter in their history with the development of their new ground. Just two games for the Blues now before things get real, starting at Welwyn Garden City on Tuesday evening.