Grays netted by Trawlerboys
Lowestoft Town 3 v 1 Grays Ath
Writes StewieG
Second half barrage sinks Blues
Grays gave a solid account of themselves in this first v second clash in Suffolk against table-toppers, Lowestoft Town, a game that attracted a bumper 600+ crowd, including a sizeable contingent of travelling Blues faithful. But in the end, Grays came away with nothing to show for their efforts. But on this showing, they should remain confident of their ability to mix it with the best in this division.
The first half was a very cautious affair, with both teams content to spar around each other, searching for weaknesses, which were difficult to see in either side. Blues were content to sit quite deep, allowing the home side possession in their own half, relying on their defence to repel the attacks. The returning Lewis Clark partnering Geoff Okonwo at the heart of the back line, looked organised and secure for the whole half, catching the home side offside on a number of occasions. Lowestoft, similarly, played with the confidence that their early-season results, and a mean defence, encourage.
The wide dimensions of the pitch encouraged good old-fashioned wing play. Grays’ brightest work came from Aron Gordon, who provided a constant threat down the left, running at full-back, Charlie Norman and driving into the penalty area. Too often though, the Blues’ attacks came to nothing, with the front partnership of Anointed Chukwu and Sam Bantick failing to gel.
Grays’ best chance of the half came on the quarter hour, when Rob Clark had a shot from outside the box, which produced a loud shout for a handball in the Lowestoft defence. But referee, Mr Sandwell, who had a good game, waved away the calls. At the other end, Owen Murphy wasted the home side’s clearest opportunity, pulling his shot across the face of the goal. But in truth, neither keeper was unduly troubled throughout the half.
Half time: Lowestoft Town 0 v 0 Grays Ath
Grays came out after the break, looking to take the game to Lowestoft, with both Callum Watts and Sam Bantick having early sights on goal. And it was just five minutes into the half when the visitors broke the deadlock. Aron Gordon made a fine run down the left touchline and produced the perfect cross, putting the ball on a plate for Bantick to beat home keeper, Luke Holt, for a 1-0 lead.
And soon after, Watts went on a lung-busting run to chase down a long ball from Malaki Toussaint, but his attempt on goal was cleared for a corner.
Unfortunately for Grays, the goal served only to poke the Lowestoft bear with a very sharp stick. The home side were, of course, keen to protect their unbeaten start to the season, and upped their tempo considerably. The equaliser when it came, was a slightly scruffy affair. For the first time in the afternoon, on 64 minutes, the Blues defence went missing and Chris Henderson found himself in space in front of goal. He scuffed his shot past Danny Sambridge, hitting a post and Adam Hipperson reacted quickest to the rebound to make it 1-1.
Lowestoft were now clearly in the ascendency, playing with confidence and moving the ball well around the park. And they took the lead, seven minutes later. More poor defending from Blues, with Josh Osude, just off the bench for Gordon, lost the ball on the edge of his own box and the ball fell to Charlie Norman, who finished clinically.
Osude’s day was completed, when his late challenge at the other end of the pitch, warranted a yellow card. But in the ensuing melee, he raised his hands to keeper, Luke Holt, whose theatrical fall to the ground, convinced the referee to show a straight red. But Osude can have little complaint.
The game was effectively over as a contest, and Lowestoft made sure when, with seven minutes remaining, Rhys Logan turned smartly on the edge of the box and put the ball past Sambridge inside the far post for a 3-1 lead.
So, a disappointing end for Blues, but the overall performance against an excellent Lowestoft side was commendable. Until the home side scored, Blues were well in the contest. The chance to get back to winning ways comes quickly, with a midweek game at home to Gorleston.
Final score: Lowestoft 3 v 1 Grays Ath
Grays Ath: Sambridge, Homans, Joynes, R.Clark (Melaugh, 84), L.Clark, Okonkwo (G.Winn, 63), Gordon (Osude, 64), Toussaint, Chukwu, Watts, Bantick
Subs not used: Griek, R.Winn