Grays Athletic 2 v 0 Hullbridge Sports

Grays Ath went into their final day fixture against all-but-relegated Hullbridge Sports knowing that their fate was in their own hands. With their two rivals for a playoff spot, Felixtowe & Walton and Heybridge Swifts, playing each other, Blues knew that a win would guarantee them a shot at promotion. Hullbridge, on the other hand, required a mathematical miracle to survive the automatic drop.
Grays came out of the traps firing on all cylinders, determined to get the job done as quickly as possible. In just the first ten minutes of the game, Blues created six eminently presentable chances but couldn’t find the net. Aron Gordon lobbed the keeper but the ball went the wrong side of the woodwork; Roman Campbell’s shot was deflected for a corner; Campbell again was caught offside; Macauley Joynes crossed for Callum Watts who fired wide; before Campbell was twice more set up by Marlon Agyakwa. The large contingent of Blues fans were just hoping that none of this came back to bite them.
For Hullbridge, Roy Stevens had a shot blocked by the crowded Blues defence and a long-range free kick by Jake Gordon was deflected wide by Lewis Clark for a corner. But in truth, Grays keeper Danny Sambridge had little to concern him all afternoon. The defensive line in front of him was well-marshalled and determined to keep the visitors at bay.
Grays felt a real sense of injustice just before the half hour mark when Hullbridge keeper, Lewis Greene appeared to collect the ball a good yard outside of his area, in panic at the tide of Blues shirts advancing on him. But the officials were unmoved and waved play on. Maybe over a season these things even out, but it looked a clear handball and a potential red card offence.
There was then a long delay for an unfortunate injury to the visitors’ Jake Knight, who was forced to leave the field and referee Mr Carter had to add a good slab of additional time. Six minutes past the 45, a Callum Leahy clearance header found its way to Ronnie Winn in midfield and his slide-rule pass was directly into the path of the advancing Callum Watts, who shrugged aside the chasing defenders and finished past Greene for a 1-0 lead and sighs of relief all round from Blues fans (editors note – sorry Ron for not crediting you with the brilliant through pass in the Non-League Paper report).

Half time: Grays Athletic 1 v 0 Hullbridge Sports

Grays had the difficult choice in the second half, either to preserve what they had, which was sufficient to secure the playoff berth or to go for more.
Callum Watts should have had his second of the afternoon just five minutes into the half, when Agyakwa’s cross found him perfectly but somehow, he headed over from close range. Joe Gardner then set up Campbell, who was unable to get his shot away and Aron Gordon went on a couple of great runs but found his path to goal blocked by some resolute defending from the visitors.
Whilst the score remained at 1-0, there was always the chance of a Hullbridge revival. Veteran forward Martin Touhy was only stopped by a great last-ditch tackle from Macauley Joynes and Roy Stevens should have done better with a shot than find the side netting.
Off the bench, Sam Bantick played as if with something to prove. His run towards the box was only stopped by a crude shirt-pull by Ellis Lawson, who was rightly booked, and he then found space for a great cross into the box that didn’t find a Grays head.
Then, with six minutes left, Aron Gordon won the ball in midfield as Hullbridge dithered. He found Bantick on the edge of the box and the club’s top scorer this season needed no second opportunity to bury his shot into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead, sending the Blues faithful wild – knowing that this was the playoff place secured.
Commiserations to Hullbridge who fought valiantly all afternoon but ultimately came up short. We wish them well for next season, as we also do to our new landlords at Tilbury, who succumbed to a late goal and also fell through the trap-door.
But this was Grays’ afternoon and great credit goes to Lewis Dark and his squad who, especially over the last couple of months, have battled injury, covid, norovirus and a myriad of other discomforts to secure a cup final and a coveted place in the promotion playoffs. No-one will underestimate the size of the task against AFC Sudbury – but you’ve got to be in it to win it.

Final score: Grays Athletic 2 v 0 Hullbridge Sports
Grays Ath: Sambridge, Joynes, R.Winn (Bantick, 65) L.Clark, Leahy (Homans, 90), Gordon (G.Winn, 89), Watts, Hahn, Campbell, Gardner, Agyakwa
Subs not used: Griek, Stagg