Grays Athletic continued their fine run of recent form, with a fourth consecutive win, this time against a strong Walthamstow side, containing a number of former Blues. Three of those four successes have come away from home without a goal conceded - some achievement. This was a great all-round performance with a strong defence and 100% commitment all round.

The early exchanges were unproductive for both sides. Walthamstow looked to get the ball wide but the Blues back line were in no mood to let their opponents have an easy passage. It wasn’t until almost the half hour mark before there was a clear chance at either end. From a set piece, Michael Finneran laid the ball back to the edge of the area, but Alejandro Macahdo’s shot went over the bar; and then Elliott Sartorius broke through the line and his pull back was just held onto by ex-Grays keeper Lamar Johnson.

And the Blues pressure eventually told. Aron Gordon and Louie Remi combined well and the latter’s cross caused confusion in the home defence. Sartorius was on hand to finish from close range for a 1-0 lead.

Some of the Walthamstow challenging was a bit on the heavy side, no more so than one from another former Blues favourite, Malachi Toussaint, on Aron Gordon. Toussaint got a yellow card but the event ended with a handshake and a smile, with the Grays player commenting “I thought you were my friend !”

Walthamstow were dangerous on the break, with Wyan Reid and Alie Njie pushing forward into the attack. And it was only some superb defending from Kenedi Dariri that kept the scoreline in Blues favour.

Half time : Walthamstow 0 v 1 Grays Athletic

The second half started much as the first ended, with Grays very much on the front foot, Great work from Aron Gordon set up Harry Hope but his shot cleared the bar comfortably. Johnson in the home goal was much the busier of the two keepers.

Referee, Mr Burns, then waved away Blue shouts for what looked an obvious handball inside the box by Harvey Livings-Corbin and the same player was involved in blocking off a fine run into the penalty area by Tyler Brampton, but again the referee came down on the home side.

Danny Sambridge was then called into serious action for the first time in the afternoon, when Wyan Reid shot on target but too close to the keeper.

As the game wore on, Alejendro Machado began to control the midfield. He was set free by a deft Shane Temple header, but shot over and then crossed for Louie Remi to set up Samir Ali, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Again Blues started to turn the screw inside the final ten minutes. Brampton’s fine run down the right set up another chance for Ali but his effort was easily saved by Johnson. However, his clearance was poor and fell straight to Elliott Sartorius, thirty yards out, who returned the ball with interest, straight past the keeper into the net, to double the lead and close the game out.

This was a fine, all-round performance by Grays. A sequence of wins is clearly showing in the confidence that the squad are exhibiting, playing with a freedom that was absent just a few weeks ago.

And Blues go again at home on Tuesday evening, looking to make it five out of five against struggling Basildon United.

Final score : Walthamstow 0 v 2 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath : Sambridge, Brampton, Skarna (90, Jude), Machado, Finneran, Dariri, Gordon (76, Ali), Walker, Sartorius, Hope (64, Temple), Remi