Grays produced their second disappointing showing of the week on Wednesday evening, succumbing to Redbridge for the third time this season. A couple of weeks ago things were looking much brighter for Blues with some very encouraging performances. But just at the minute things aren’t gelling and performances on the pitch are well below what the fans expect. Of course, things can turn the other way just as quickly, as we know from last season.

Grays probably began the game marginally the better of the two sides, although there was little of note anywhere that warranted a mention. Callum Fitzer and Harry Hope had early chances for Blues and Macauley Joynes was on hand to clear a Solomon Ogumwojomu shot from close to the goalline.

Redbridge slowly began to impose themselves on the match. They are a good side, playing with pace and a real sense of adventure. Fotsing Pitoula Wabo should have done better with a close range shot that George Marsh saved further embarrassment by being adjudged offside as well. Malachi Napa dropped a shoulder beautifully to create space but then shot wildly wide and Ayo Olukoga produced a lovely cross that evaded everyone.

It took Grays until the 42nd minute to create their best chance, a vicious long-range shot from Harry Hope that visiting keeper did very well to get a finger tip to, pushing the ball onto the crossbar and out for a corner.

Half time : Grays Athletic 0 v 0 Redbridge

The second half was not much better as a spectacle. Redbridge’s play is exciting but can sometimes be a little too intricate and too often they were caught offside. Grays offered little in attack and too often their work was either ponderous or rather formulaic, setting their visitors few challenges.

Pitoula Wabo broke free in the penalty area and nodded the ball past George Marsh but he couldn’t catch up with it and the chance was gone. And Oscar Shelvey-Negus came to Blues rescue when scurrying back to make a timely intervention to intercept a two-man Redbridge breakaway. At the other end, a Harry Hope corner was returned back into the box by a lovely chip from Michael Bareck, but Grays couldn’t find a finish.

The deadlock was broken midway through the half when Prince Sikiru (who made several appearances for us last season) worked his way into the right side of the penalty area. His cross found Karl Kayembe (another former Blue) who bundled the ball over the line at the second attempt for a 1-0 lead.

And it was soon 2-0. From a George Marsh clearance, Grays lost the ball in midfield and Jack Chawner split the defence with a fine pass to leading marksman Solomon Ogonwojomu who created space for himself and finished comfortably.

In the final quarter of an hour, if anything, it was more likely for Redbridge to extend their lead rather than Grays getting back into the game.

So two home defeats in a week for Grays was not what was expected after last week’s demolition of Brantham. But two performances, well below par really deserved little in return. But there is the chance to make amends away to Lowestoft on Saturday. Let’s hope things pick up soon

Final score : Grays Athletic 0 v 2 Redbridge

Grays Ath: Marsh, Brampton (65, Frempong), Joynes, Walker, Moss, Turner, Hope (65, Paxman), Shelvey-Negus, Stone (88, Strugurean), Bareck (88, Gjonbala), Fitzer (82, Hlukaku)