Grays Give Sporting Bengal the Blues

Grays Athletic made it 10 wins out of 11 games and 12 matches unbeaten by defeating basement side, Sporting Bengal 3-0, at the Mile End stadium.

The first half was totally forgettable. Grays failed to cope with the strong following breeze and a very disappointing pitch. The passing was often far too slow and predictable, or simply in the air to forwards who need it on the deck. Only several runs from Kenedi Dariri caused concern for Sporting Bengal's defence

Any flow to the game was interrupted every time the ball went off for a throw in. A pitch surrounded by an athletics track plus an absence of ball boys/girls meant that players had to go a long way to fetch the ball. On one occasion, Matas Skarna ended up chasing the ball all the way back to the dressing room!

The only points of note in the first half were an Elliott Sartorius shot from 25 yards which crashed onto the inside of the post before bouncing safe and an off the ball clash which left Matas down and holding his face. Following a consultation between referee and his assistant, Sporting's Myles Dominique was only booked for the offence.

At half time, Harry Hope came on for Aron Gordon who had also taken a bang to the head from Rahman Kareem. Harry's introduction made a big difference, linking play together and providing quicker distribution.

Sam Bantick tested Sporting's keeper, before on 56 minutes Kenedi Dariri went on another characteristic run, slipping a slide rule pass to Alejandro Machedo. Alej dropped the left shoulder and curled a beauty inside the far post for 1-0 and his 14th goal of a very good season.

The goal completely changed the game, within 90 seconds, Banno had the ball in the net only to be denied by a very questionable offside flag. A minute later and Alej and Elliott were guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net when a shot would surely have paid dividends.

However, the Blues were not to be denied. Louie Remi had been relatively quiet, but on 61 minutes showed his quality with a well timed run down the right and a perfect cross that Harry Hope smashed home for 2-0 and his second goal in a Grays shirt.

Darren rang the changes as Luke Hirst and Shane Temple came on for Louie and Banno and the attacks kept coming. The pressure told on 68 minutes as Luke Hirst was shoved over in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. To the delight of the overwhelming majority of the 103 crowd, up stepped Danny Sambridge to cooly slot home his 1st goal for the Blues in his 208th and final game.

As Danny ran back to his goal, he will have been shocked to see the ball fly over him and into the net. However, Sporting Bengal had taken the kick off before the referee blew his whistle. Myles Dominique protested too much and received his marching orders.

The final twenty minutes was a question of whether Grays could add to their lead. Luke Hirst went close twice before cleverly wriggling through and finishing well. Somehow the assistant felt there had been an offside offence. From my viewpoint, Luke had kept the ball and could not have been offside.

Ethan Hoskins made his debut from the bench, coming on for Elliott, and looked very lively, wide on the left. As the game wound down, he let fly from 30 yards and was unlucky to see the shot come back off the post. Ethan was then flagged offside by the struggling assistant when he had started his run from his own half.

There was little threat from Sporting Bengal, but Alex Moss cleared off the line, Kye Jude made a great block and in the final action, Danny Sambridge made a good save at his near post. How appropriate that the season should end with Danny making one last save.

So, Grays finish in 9th place with Sporting Bengal finishing in 22nd and last place.

Darren, his management team and the playing squad deserve great credit for this season.

In comparison with 2023/24, the team have climbed from 16th to 9th and more than doubled their points total (from 33 points in 36 games last season, to 68 points from 42, this campaign).

Last season, 18 away games yielded just 12 points. This season 34 points have been won from 21 games on the road. Only Felixstowe, Bury Town and Brightlingsea managed more than the Blues 37 goals scored on the road.

I like to look at how competitive we have been against the teams who finish in the top 10. Last season those 20 games produced 2 wins, plus 2 draws and 16 losses. This season, (including Cambridge City as the 11th placed team, as we were 9th) this improved to 7 wins plus 3 draws.

Those 7 wins include thrashing eventual Champions, Brentwood Town away, a double over runners up Felixstowe and Walton plus a comprehensive win at play off contenders, Brightlingsea Regent.

OK, the Cup competitions were a bit of a disappointment, and we had that bad run either side of Christmas, but its clear that strong progress is being made.

Enjoy your summer, don't forget to renew your membership and keep your eye on our website and social media for news on pre season friendlies. Hasta la Vista!