Grays edged out local rivals East Thurrock at Rookery Hill on Monday too keep their playoff hopes alive in this tense local derby in a game of contrasting styles writes The Mariner.

Mark Bentley made an enforced change with Joao Carlos reverting to an unfamiliar role at left back in the absence of Jey Siva and to his credit the change did not effect the Blues adversely, the Rocks were without talisman and goal scorer in chief Sam Higgins in their starting eleven.

Blues started brightly winning a free kick in the first minute, playing neat one touch football they were pinning their hosts back and with only five minutes played got their noses in front. Correy Davidson did well to get his cross in under close attention from the home defence, GB Dumaka pressured keeper Hughes who failed to collect cleanly, the ball coming off the crossbar and in the ensuing melee Jordan Wilson stabbed the ball home to the delight of the vociferous Blues faithful.

This early set back stunned the hosts but they soon started asking their own question, employing a more direct approach they pinned Grays back forcing a number of corners which tended to be hit long but not causing the visitors too many problems. Mitchell Gilbey for the home side was looking very lively with some intelligent runs, Lamar Johnson did well to turn a Gilbey drive away for a corner.

Blues were soaking up the pressure exerted on them but never really looked to be troubled, maintaining their shape and making them difficult to break down, the Rocks were forced to shoot from distance Symons coming closest with an effort drifting wide of the upright.

Bradley Fortnum-Tomlinson was unlucky with a snapshot that cleared the upright in a Grays breakaway as the home side continued to try and get back on terms but their direct approach played into the Blues hands with Manny Parry, Sean Cronin and Johnson dealing comfortably with the high balls.

Just before halftime Tomlinson should have increased Blues lead bearing down on Hughes goal a moments hesitation allowed Goodacre to make a last ditch tackle clearing the ball from danger.

This proved to be the last opportunity of a half which saw Grays capitalise on the first real chance of the game, although Rocks enjoyed a deal of territorial advantage through their high tempo pressing game they rarely carved out a clear cut chance.

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Blues kicked off the second half with a slight breeze behind them and began to exert a little more of their own pressure, James Stevens who had been quietly effective in the opening half failed to beat the first man from an early free kick. Rocks were now being asked questions as their own tempo began to drop, Dumaka and Tomlinson we're seeing more of the ball, Dumaka was holding up the ball well allowing Grays midfileld into the game more, Jay Leader who had been pushed back earlier in the game was now finding space out wide.

With 10 minute of the half gone Blues increased their lead Dumaka was played in he quickly beat his marker cleverly bringing the ball under control and lobbing Hughes to give the visitors a vital two goal cushion.

A visibly shaken Rocks tried to get back into the game but found the visitors a tough nut to crack, Blues kept to their game plan but were now beginning to win the second balls and setting up their own attacks. Stevens and Kenny Beaney were both seeing more of the ball allowing both Grays fullbacks into the game.

Rocks introduced Brown and Witherspoon to bring fresh impetus but it was the visitors who looked the more comfortable, Dumaka fired over ,and then Tomlinson after a good run fired in a cross which was cleared straight to Kenny Beaney who blazed wide.

Manager Bentley made two changes to bolster the midfield and protect the two goal advantage. Davidson who had a quiet game by his standards although he appeared to be carrying an injury and Tomlinson made way for Nathan Ferguson and Harry Agonbar.

Dumaka was unlucky with a header from a corner, At the other end Blues had a fright when Ruel was denied by a great block from Johnson as the visitors were given a reminder that the Rocks were not beaten yet.Dumaka again on a good run clipped the ball just wide of the post.

As the clock ticked down the home side were beginning to feel the effects of their high tempo game allowing Grays more time on the ball and gained the upper hand although Johnson made a smart catch from a dangerous Brown cross. Blues played down the clock in the dying moments keeping possesion until the final whistle.

Grays produced a professional performance today against a team who have caused them problems in the past every player stuck to their tasks and the game plan. Maybe it was not a vintage performance but Rookery Hill is a tough place to come to and to come away with three points and a clean sheet into the bargain with all the pressures of maintaining a play off push is all the more impressive.

The Blues will now travel to Maidstone United on Saturday who having looked home and dry a few weeks ago find themselves being hunted down by Blues League Cup opponents Hendon. All the pressure will be on the home side which Blues should look to exploit, the 3G pitch will suit their game and provide an opportunity to cause an upset on the perfect stage

East Thurrock United: Hughes Sammons Stephen Peddie Wood Goodacre Symons Cornhill Ruel Gilbey Witherspoon
Subs: Parmenter Smith Brown Paxman Bryant

Grays Athletic:Johnson Leader Davidson Cronin Parry Stevens Wilson Beaney Dumaka Fortnam-Tomlinson Carlos
Subs: Agombar Marfo Morrison-Derbyshire Ferguson Gough

Attendance: 543

To watch interviews with East Thurrock manager John Coventry and Blues manager Mark Bentley go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBJhJqq9T6M&feature=youtu.be&a with thanks to YourThurrock for the video