After last week’s battling win against Great Wakering, the players and supporters on the Grays Athletic coach travelled up the M11 to Cambridge City with renewed expectation. And for 45 minutes, their hopes were fulfilled, with a first half of enterprise and energy. But rarely has that old footballing cliché of “a game of two halves” been more appropriate.

On a heavy and lifeless pitch, with the consistency of your granny’s bread pudding, the game came to life as early as the 5th minute, when skipper Lewis Dark tangled in midfield with City’s Kaidyn Michael. Dark’s was certainly the original foul, but whilst laying on the floor, Michael appeared to kick out at the Grays man. As ever, most of the outfield players chose to get involved, and after consultation with his assistant, the referee chose only to show yellow cards to both players, with Michael looking lucky to avoid a very early bath.

Grays gradually came to enjoy much the greater share of possession, adapting well to the difficult conditions and deservedly took the lead on 18 minutes. An intelligent ball over the top by Mitch Hahn found Joao Carlos out on the left. Cutting in quickly and with the home keeper Dan George unsure whether to stick or twist, Carlos coolly slotted the ball past him, and off of the far post into the net. 1-0 to the Blues

Grays were now well on top but couldn’t find the cutting edge to put the game beyond Cambridge. On 25 minutes, Carlos was again the beneficiary of a delightful ball, this time from Dexter Peter, denied only by some last-ditch defending. And 10 minutes later, Tony Stokes showed what the Blues fans have been missing with some delightful footwork, mesmerising the City midfield. In defence, Peter, Jack McQueen and Lewis Dark had matters well in hand, playing a high line and catching the opposition offside with regularity. Only a shot by Ryan Sharman late in the half from outside the box causing Blues keeper Danny Sambridge any alarm.

HT 1-0 to Grays Ath

Cambridge City manager Robbie Nightingale needed to make changes and at the start of the second half, he threw on two wide men, Nicky Dembele and Nathan Olukanmi, with the latter immediately causing Blues trouble down the City left wing. Just four minutes into the half, his dangerous ball into the box found the sliding Dembele, who’s shot rebounded off the post. What should have woken the Blues up, only encouraged City to throw more men forward, with the Grays defence dropping ever deeper to repel attacks from both wings. Manny Ogunrinde remained industrious up front for Blues but the service was becoming more ragged, as thoughts turned mainly to defence.

As the half progressed, Cambridge piled on the pressure, aided on occasions by some quirky decisions from the officials. And City’s intensity meant Grays were simply unable to re-create their play from the first half. It was only a matter of time before the equaliser came. Steve King, on for Tony Stokes, made an uncharacteristic error in the middle of the park and without cover behind, City’s Arel Amu was able to run through and finish well, past the helpless Sambridge. In truth, it was no more than Cambridge deserved for their second half efforts.

City continued to keep Blues on the back foot, with the visitors making only occasional forays into the home half. Late on, deep in to injury time, King redeemed himself, with a heroic clearance from inside the Blues six-yard box, to keep the scores level.

In the end, honours even at 1-1 was a fair result, with both teams winning one half of a match where all the players should be congratulated for producing an entertaining afternoon in difficult conditions. Special mention goes to the Grays travelling choir behind the goal, who sang their support for the full 90 minutes.

This coming Tuesday evening, weather permitting, the Blues make a third attempt to play their Essex Senior Cup quarter final at Billericay. Latest updates will be posted on the web site and twitter - do please check before making the short trip.

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Fox (Bourne 90 mins), Joynes, Clark, McQueen, Peter, Ogunrinde, Hahn, Stokes (King 69 mins), Dark, Carlos

Subs not used : Sammons, Pearce, Girling