Grays Athletic brought their 2024/25 pre-season to a close, with the visit of a strong Sittingbourne side, who presented Darren Manning’s side with an excellent challenge and tested their resolve to the final whistle.

(unfortunately, I only have shirt numbers for the Sittingbourne players)

The visitors had much the better of the first half, looking organised in defence, strong down the wings and busy up front. But this was just the kind of test that the Blues were looking for to maintain their progress before the real work begins next weekend.

For all their pressure, it took Sittingbourne half an hour to break the deadlock, no7 at the end of a good move down the right for a 1-0 lead.

Blues looked to bounce back and put a couple of good crosses into the box. But just before the break, Sittingbourne doubled their advantage when no9 was on hand inside the six-yard area, to tap in for 2-0.

Half time : Grays Athletic 0 v 2 Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne continued their pressure early in the second half and after missing a couple of very presentable chances, extended their lead when no14 found space in the area and made it 3-0.

This game could have got messy for Blues, and with an hour gone, few would have foreseen the final result. But this side is built of sterner stuff and the manager has instilled a real sense of purpose across the squad. As both teams rang the changes, Grays found another gear and surprised the visitors with their skill and determination. Admittedly, the first two Blues goals both had something of fortune about them - Finneran’s lobbed ball into the box and Damrell’s corner both found their way into the net. But they were a fine and deserved reward for a concerted period of pressure that Sittingbourne could not deal with.

And when Joao Carlos buried a last minute penalty to level the scores at 3-3, the comeback was complete and a real indication of how far this squad of players has come in a very short space of time. Blues could have chosen to throw in the towel but nothing could have been further from the truth.

Final score : Grays Athletic 3 v 3 Sittingbourne

And so the shadow boxing is finished - and Blues have their first competitive fixture of the season in the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup against near neighbours Hullbridge FC at home on Sunday, kick off is at 1pm.

Come on your Blues !