Ryman Premier

Grays Athletc 0 v 2 Bognor Regis Town

GRAYS Athletic suffered their first defeat of the season when they went down 2-0 to Bognor Regis Town at Mill Field.

The first fifteen minutes paid witness to a cagey affair with no side really dominating. Grays were playing a patient game.

Their best chance in the first quarter may have come from a decent shout for a penalty due to a handball.

In the 16th minute defender Luke Ifill delivered a lovely forty yard pass to Joao Carlos but his shot went wide.

Bognor were winning the corners and the impressive Lamar Johnson was catching the crosses.

But the unforced errors were starting to creep into Grays game however Bognor lacked conviction up front.

A classic example was exquisite defending from Sean Cronin, spoiled by an unforced error from Kenny Beaney who gave the ball and the initiative back to Bognor.

It took until 35 minuted for a Grays player, in the shape of Nathan Ferguson, to take a player on. Boss Mark Bentley applauded him, indicating he wanted his team to be more assertive.

But it was Bognor who scored after Jay Leader tripped up Jason Prior in the box. The referee also gave Leader a red card. Prior scored from the spot.

Grays came out for the second half in positive mood and brought the game to Bognor. Brad Fortnum-Tomlnson went close hitting the ball into the side netting. A minute later, Joao Carlos sneaked in and went close with a header.

But the game was very similar to the Dulwich game where Grays lacked real penetration up front and, whether with eleven or ten men, never really looked like scoring,

Bognor really needed to get out of their own half.They also perhaps needed to get to of drama school as a lot of play acting was going on.

However, Bognor got their second goal in the 73rd minute when Alfie Rutherford rose bravely to head the ball in the net.

The game petered out into a tame affair.

Grays and their fans may complain about the ref but Grays made far too many unforced errors. Bognor were a solid unit and kept to a plan, There is no doubt, over a long season, they will be there or there about in April.

Grays return to action on Wednesday night against Staines Town.