On the back of a tough match on Thursday evening against West Ham United, the manager included other members of the squad, as he looked to try other combinations around the pitch. Joe Sweeney and Petrit Elbi started up-front; Joe McEvoy partnered Richard Oxby in the centre of midfield, whilst Grant Cooper returned to the starting line-up alongside Junior Baker.

Despite starting the better of the two sides, a couple of early corners came to nothing for the Blues, as they were easily cleared by the home defence. Jason Fontaine had some success on the right touchline and had the better of the left full back. In the 20th minute he crossed for Elbi which was cleared to McEvoy, who shot wide from just outside the area.

Shortly after Elbi almost got just reward for his hard work in closing the keeper down, as the clearance ricocheted off his head and out of play. Midway through the first half, Cooper hit a long ball for Fontaine, which he did well to keep in. His cross was put out for a corner, which was cleared to the edge of the box, where trialist Jay Nash conjured up an overhead kick which went over the bar.

Just after the half hour came the opening goal, Sweeney made his way down the right touchline, before cutting it back to Fontaine. His delivery was headed into the back of his own net by the Whitstable centre half James Peacock.

Shortly before half-time, some fine play between Elbi and Fontaine led to a corner which Eljay Worrell delivered from the right. His ball in was by Baker, however his great header was cleared off the line.
The second half started without the expected substitutions, but it wasn’t long before Calvin Poku, Danny Bunce and Jared Small were all introduced.

Elbi came closest to scoring for Grays, as he found himself out wide left. He unleashed an effort just five yards in from the touchline, and his lofted effort just clipped the top of the bar. Aside from that, Cooper had a couple of long range shots as he stepped out of defence, whilst Sweeney shot from distance without troubling the keeper.

Despite being down to ten men for the last 20 minutes, the Oystermen managed to get a deserved equaliser. Moments after his first free-kick was blasted high over the goal, James Moorish got a second attempt as he was fouled on the edge of the area by Poku. He stepped up and his shot went through the wall, and with a deflection beat Stephen Northwood in the Grays goal.

With just two matches left for the first team before the start of the new season, the manager will be looking to start with a stronger starting lineup on Tuesday night away at Ryman Premier side Canvey Island.

Starting Line-up – Stephen Northwood, Daniel Smith, Grant Cooper, Junior Baker, Eljay Worrell, Jason Fontaine, Richard Oxby, Joe McEvoy, Jay Smith (trialist), Joe Sweeney, Petrit Elbi (trialist)

Subs – Jared Small, Calvin Poku, Danny Bunce.