On a Saturday when few games across the country survived the ravages of Storm Dennis, Grays Athletic and Bury Town battled the elements in near impossible conditions, with an encounter that many would have called off for another day.

The howling gale blowing down the pitch meant that Bury Town had the advantage in the first half, but even for them, controlling the ball was never easy. Early danger came from the long throws of Will Gardner and a shoot-on-sight attitude from Ross Crane. In midfield, the Blues pair of Mitch Hahn and Sam Girling were industrious and doing their best to hold what possession Grays could generate. On the quarter hour, Joao Carlos made a rare incursion into the Bury half, stopped only by an industrial challenge and a few minutes later, a great cross into the Bury box by Lewis Dark was met strongly by Hahn, whose header was well saved by visiting keeper, Ben Mayhew.

But the Bury formation always looked strong going forward and on 23 minutes they made the breakthrough that seemed likely, with the ball breaking to the impressive Cruise Nyadzayo, who cut through the Blues defence, slotting the ball calmly passed Danny Sambridge for a 1-0 lead.

And just five minutes later, Bury extended their lead with probably the best football of the day. A powerful run down the left wing by Emmanuel Machaya was followed by the perfect cross for Crane, who headed home well, to make it 2-0.

Blues tried hard, as the half went on, but as has been so often the case in recent weeks, some decent approach play found no meaningful end product. Both Nathan Fox and Reuben Soares Jr shot wide tamely, whilst some great work and cross by Carlos went begging in the middle. At the other end, the Blues defence could hardly blame the conditions for some dithering in the penalty box that allowed Machaya a double attempt to stretch the visitors lead, but he blasted the ball over the bar.

Half time Grays Ath 0 Bury Town 2

With the strong wind in their backs, Grays understandably enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the second half and the Bury defence had to be much more watchful. On 50 minutes, a booming clearance from Sambridge found Joao Carlos, who made great strides down his favourite left wing, and was incredulous when he was clumsily brought down by defender Carlos Edwards, but referee Mr Hurst waved play on.

But finally after three and a half games without a goal, Blues finally found the net, nine minutes into the second half. Another fine cross from the right by Lewis Dark, found Reuben Soares leaping highest to head his first goal for Grays, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Soon after, Mitch Hahn had a great chance to level the score after a driving run by Soares, but his chip went just over the bar. Grays were pushing hard but the Bury defence kept sny chances to shots from distance. The hard-working Girling was replaced by Tony Stokes, who also had an early attempt go wide of the upright.

On 75 minutes, Grays forced a succession of corners, with Hahn and Macaulay Joynes, alternating with in-swinging dead balls that all came to nothing. Late on Bury forced the Blues defence into action. A long shot from the lively Nyadzayo caused panic in the Grays six-yard box before the ball was eventually hacked away.

Five minutes of injury time couldn’t help Grays who threw everything forward but to little avail.

Final score: Grays Ath 1 Bury Town 2

On an afternoon where conditions made it very difficult for anyone to play skilful football, Bury had probably shown just enough quality and control of the ball to warrant the victory, although the goal from Reuben Soares certainly lifted the home spirits, with some real effort to get something from the game. It is though just one win in eleven games for the Blues since early December, form that needs to turn round soon. And things certainly won’t get any easier with next Saturday’s visit of high-flying Maldon & Tiptree, but rest assured that the home faithful will be up for the challenge.

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Fox, Joynes, Clark, King (Ogunrinde 80 mins), McQueen, Soares Jr, Hahn, Carlos, Dark, Girling (Stokes 64mins).

Unused subs: Adebiyi, Miller, Kayembe