Jody Browns boy's suffered their second home defeat at Mill Field going down in a controversial 0-1 defeat at the hands of a determined Bognor Regis Town on Saturday. With a depleted squad due to injury and suspension the blues played some excellent football at times.
Within the first minute of the first half Freddie Ladapo made a characteristic run into the box only to be taken down by a Bognor defender, however what appeared by many to be a clear cut penalty the referee decided against the decision much to the displeasure of the blues supporters and manager Jody Brown.
The blues continued to push for the opening goal, playing some quality football at times. Jamie Guy worked hard up front holding up the ball well to play Ladapo off into a striking position, only for Bognor to somehow snuff out the attack. The blues kept to the game plan and Ladapo came close before the break with a strike which beat the Bognor keeper but somehow glided wide. You got a sense this may not be the blues day.
Bognor came out in the second half and continued to squeeze the blues into their own half and a terrific counter attack by Bognor allowed Stuart Green to slot home for the Town in the 52nd minute.
The Grays supporters at this point urged their team on and with Glenn Little managing the midfield you could forgive the supporters for thinking a goal was just around the corner. A double substitution in the 75th minute by Brown saw Dumebi Dumaka come on for Jordan Wilson and Chris Bryan replace Jamie Guy. The blues changed their formation playing three at the back, as the blues tried to look for the equaliser.
A fantastic run by Chris Bryan in the box in the 82nd minute saw Bryan brought down by the Bognor keeper in what everyone in the ground including the Bognor keeper said was a penalty. However the referee determined that Bryan had dived and was booked by the ref. The blues supporters and players vented their frustration at the officials, and in a final insult to injury manager Jody Brown was sent to the stands for words crossed with the linesman.
A great win for lowly Bognor saw them climb the table to 17th place as the blues remained in 8th place 5 points adrift of a play off spot.
Grays Athletic welcome Bury Town to Mill field on Wednesday 24th September in the Ryman Premier League as they look to bounce back from a frustrating 0-1 defeat.
Kickoff for the match is 19:45, and we look forward to seeing you there.