Grays Ath took on their second playoff-chasing side in the space of just a few days. And after the excellent win against Gorleston at the weekend, hopes were high for the visit of Waltham Forest. For long periods the two sides very much cancelled each other out and a draw looked on the cards but (as recorded previously in a recent match report - games at this level are often decided by fine margins.

The first chance of the game fell to the Abbots Ibitayo Olebola who could only find the side netting from a fine angle, whilst at the other end Sam Wade beat the offside trap but his cross was readily cut out by a well-organised visitors’ defence.

Grays worked their way into the game and created several good chances. Jack Stone headed over from a Macca Joynes cross and Oscar Shelvey-Negus poked another opportunity just wide. Then on the quarter hour came the most controversial moment of the evening. Jack Stone got behind the line and forced a corner. Joynes put it into the mixer and after the ball had bounced around the six yard box, there were loud claims that it had crossed the line by a good distance but no goal was awarded - although the linesman gave a corner ?? From that dead ball, Waltham Abbey broke away and only a fine last-ditch challenge by Alex Moss saved the day.

Out wide, Ellis Brown’s pace was causing Blues real issues, with stand-in full back, Sid Walker, having to be on his top game to repel the challenge. Grays then forced a series of corners, from the last of which they almost scored a bizarre goal, when Joe Paxman mishit a grubber into the box which came back off the foot of the post.

Half time : Grays Athletic 0 v 0 Waltham Abbey

The second half was an attritional affair that too often got bogged down in a midfield battle but it was good to see Grays standing toe-to-toe with an opposition that we know are an excellent footballing side. Kai Brown (twice of this parish) spurned two good chances. One set up by Ellis Brown that brought a good save from George Marsh and the other that rolled the wrong side of the post.

Jack Stone was then downed just outside the box but the Abbots defence held firm with the free kick.

The deadlock was broken midway through the half when Waltham Abbey threw the ball into the box and Ellis Brown rose highest. He looped a header across the six yard area, George Marsh missed the ball and it cleared everyone, landing in the net.

The goal seemed to deflate Blues and the visitors were content to wind the clock down and bag the points. The goalscorer nearly doubled the lead late on but shot just over the bar before, in the very dying moments of the game, Grays won a corner. With George Marsh going up to join the fray, the ball flew around the penalty area before Kye Jude got a clear shot on goal and the Abbot’s keeper pulled off an incredible save, diving to his right and pushing the ball clear.

There were though some real positives from the game for Blues fans, especially seeing the continued return of several of our long-term injuries, Casey Nolan-Samuels and Guy Norton both getting good game time, as well as the first appearance for some time of Jordan Clark (but countered by seeing Sam Wade hobbling off). On most nights, Grays would have taken something from the match but it was not to be.

The next two Saturdays see Blues take on sides in the bottom four, so will be looking to get a good return before the pre-Christmas fixtures see them take on teams at the top end of the table. So much to look forward to.

Final score : Grays Athletic 0 v 1 Waltham Abbey.

Grays Ath : Marsh, Walker, Joynes, Paxman, Jude, Moss, Wade (77, Gjonbala), Shelvey-Negus (63, J Clark), Stone, Bareck, Nolan-Samuels (67, Norton)

Subs not used : Drew, Strugurean