Grays Ath 2 v 1 Great Wakering Rovers

On the first real Saturday of proper winter football-watching weather, the Blues faithful were hoping for a game to warm the soul. Unfortunately, the pre-Christmas fare served up by the two teams was rather mediocre. But nevertheless, Grays did enough to win the game and claim the three points against a struggling Great Wakering Rovers.
Blues started the game as if they meant business, pushing Rovers back into their own box. Aron Gordon, Anointed Chukwu and Macaulay Joynes combined well down the left to win the game’s first corner. Mitch Hahn delivered the perfect cross for Lewis Clark who rose highest to head home for a 1-0 lead.
Clark was now everywhere on the pitch, even appearing down the wing and crossing create a chance for Gordon in the area.
The rest of the half was a tale of what might have been for Grays. Sam Bantick was felled on the edge of the penalty area and his free kick was deflected just wide of the post. Chukwu also created several chances with the best, again diverted the wrong side of the woodwork. From the resulting corner, there was an almighty scramble, with that man Clark again causing high alarm.
For the visitors, Ernest Okoh looked the most likely to worry the Blues defence, running the channels wide right and cutting in. Courtney Homans, who had a strong game at the back, came to the rescue on 25 minutes with a fine block and clearance.
The ball just would not run for Blues. Callum Watts had another shot toe-ended wide by the Wakering defence and Bantick then went close again from another Hahn corner, that Clark headed back from the far post. Grays should have been out of sight but had Danny Sambridge to thank for preserving the lead when he pulled off a smart save from Rob Lacey, who found himself clear at close range, but couldn’t beat the home custodian.

Half time: Grays Ath 1 v 0 Great Wakering Rovers

The second half was a largely forgettable affair. The visitors had more of the ball than they had seen in the first forty-five minutes but they lacked the craft to get through a well-marshalled Grays defence. Blues likewise seemed to run out of ideas. As in previous games, they resorted more to the long ball rather than playing the passing football that the fans know can be so potent.
Bantick was unlucky just after the hour, when he was unable to find the net after the visitors’ keeper, Harry Fairs, made an injudicious expedition outside his penalty area. But the Blues’ marksman didn’t have to wait long. A run and cut-in down the left by Aron Gordon induced a game of pinball in the Wakering box. Bantick’s first shot was blocked but he rifled in the rebound for a 2-0 lead.
The visitors gained a consolation in the very last minute, when Billy Johnson was bundled over just outside the box and he got up to place the free kick delightfully over the wall and past Sambridge. But it was too little too late.
So, Grays took the three points that their first half showing merited. And with games elsewhere the victim of the cold weather, Blues edged back closer to the play-off places.

Final score: Grays Ath 2 v 1 Great Wakering Rovers
Grays Ath: Sambridge, Homans, Joynes, Watts, L.Clark, G.Winn, Gordon (Melaugh, 84), Toussaint (R.Winn, 46), Bantick, Hahn, Chukwu (R.Clark, 75)
Subs not used: Griek