Bury Town 1 v 4 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath travelled to Suffolk on Saturday knowing that an away fixture at Bury Town is always a difficult encounter. But few of the bumper crowd present would have expected what they witnessed in the first half hour.
Unlike their performances in the past few weeks, Grays came flying out of the traps and took the game by the scruff of the neck. In just the first minute, a trademark long throw-in from Mitch Hahn was met by the head of Roman Campbell but the chance was snuffed out. Blues fans didn’t have to wait long though. Only a minute later hesitation in the Bury defence caused keeper Charlie Woods to rush a clearance, the ball fell to Ronnie Winn who looked up and saw Woods well off his line and lobbed the ball expertly from distance into the empty net and a 1-0 lead.
And it could have been two before five minutes were on the clock. Aron Gordon ran into the box, with Campbell and Winn both having shots blocked and saved. Moments later, Callum Watts had a snapshot just wide of the post. But he didn’t have to wait long. Another Gordon run and cross was flicked on by Campbell and Watts found himself in space by the penalty spot and he calmly fired home for a 2-0 score.
And with 22 minutes gone the travelling Blues fans were in wonderland. Mitch Hahn controlled the ball brilliantly on the edge of the box, Campbell dummied and Watts found himself in shooting range again and it was 3-0 thanks to another clinical finish. Grays were flying, Bury were shellshocked.
It took Bury the best part of half an hour to mount a meaningful challenge. Will Gardner’s long throw-ins are a potent weapon and it was from one of these and a flicked header that caused consternation in the Grays defence, until Danny Sambridge grabbed the ball low by the post.
Perhaps this had been the Blues best 45 minutes of the season.

Half time: Bury Town 0 v 3 Grays Athletic

It was clear that Bury would come out fighting in the second half and it took them only two minutes to get back in the game. The ball was worked out wide to Joe Hood and his cross was met close in by Cruis Nydazayo to close the gap to 3-1. The home side were buoyed by their start and put increasing pressure on the Grays defence. Cemal Ramadan forced a save from Sambridge and off the bench, Carlos Edwards became increasingly influential in the game, pulling the strings from midfield. But the Blues defence were not to be denied. Skipper, Lewis Clark led the line and Macauley Joynes continued his recent fine form with an excellent display.
Mention must also be made of referee Jordan Gibson, who had a calm and measured afternoon. It’s all to easy to criticise officials, so it is a pleasure to give credit where it is due.
As Bury ran out of ideas, Grays started to ease back into the game, finding more possession upfield. And with ten minutes to go, Mitch Hahn capped off a great all-round performance with a fine pass that found Tom Stagg, who controlled the ball well and crashed the ball past Charlie Woods for his first goal in a Blue shirt, to seal the win for the visitors.
The three points put Grays back into a playoff place going into the final week of the season. Whatever the final outcome after next Saturday, the Blues faithful can be proud of their squad who have shown immense character in the past few weeks to maintain a push for a top 5 finish. By the time Hullbridge visit next Saturday, weather permitting, we will know where everything stands.
Come on You Blues !

Final score: Bury Town 1 v 4 Grays Athletic
Grays Ath: Sambridge, Homans, Joynes, R.Winn, L.Clark, Leahy, Gordon (Bantick,88), Watts, Hahn, Campbell (G.Winn, 85), Gardner (Stagg, 75)