BACK ON TRACK

Blues bounced back with a well deserved win over Great Wakering Rovers on Wednesday evening after a poor performance at Soham in their previous league outing. Jim Cooper pulled no punches in his post match interview after the Soham game challenging his players to prove they were worthy of playing in Grays colours and he would have been pleased with the response he got. Gone was the lethargy evident on Saturday, to be replaced with a high energy display that overcame Great Wakering who themselves contributed to an entertaining evening for fans of both teams. Such was the attacking enterprise on show that keepers Danny Sambridge and Tim Brown had to be their best throughout the 90 minutes. A goal on the stroke of half time from Anointed Chukwu was all that separated the protagonists despite both sides coming close on numerous occasions, the win pushing Blues up into the play off places.

From the first whistle Blues showed their intent winning a corner inside the first three minutes from which Pat Ahern placed his header just wide, moments later Mitch Hahn tried his luck from distance testing Brown who saved well.

Reece Price - Placid saw plenty of the ball at this early stage looking lively down the right flank where his pace was causing his marker some worrying moments with his whipped in crosses.

On top, Blues forced a succession of corners which failed to elicit a break through . Rovers grew into the game contributing to an open encounter and came close to snatching the lead when a Kojo Apenteng cross to the six yard box found the head of George Cox forcing Sambridge to finger tip the ball for a corner.

The game ebbed and flowed now, Ryan Melaugh looking energised tested Brown with a fierce effort well saved by the keeper and then at the other end a Rovers break saw Apenteng threaten, Sambridge again saving well.

After all the enterprising play from both sides the goal that gave Blues the lead on 44 minutes was a scrappy affair but vital. From a Melaugh free kick the ball was fisted out by Brown finding Lewis Clark, his headed effort was helped on by Chukwu through a melee of legs and saw the ball roll slowly over the line, on the balance of play it was a just reward for Blues efforts.

HT 1-0

Blues holding a slender goal advantage started the half brightly when Melaugh darted down the flank sending in a searching low cross that just evaded Price- Placid at the far post, Hahn then followed up with a well struck effort Brown again saving well.

Rovers replied in kind, but were coming up against a resolute Blues defence where Lewis Clark and Ahern combined well to thwart a succession of raids with Sambridge bolstering Blues ramparts.

A break on the visitors goal nearly produced a second when a close range header hit the side netting - not to be outdone Martin Tuohy tested Sambridge with a low drive.

A goal down it was now Rovers who gained the advantage in the last fifteen minutes, Sambridge had to be at his best to turn over an Apenteng free kick and then produced his best save of the night to deny Apenteng again. Sub Joe Agunbiade could have made the game safe when he broke clear but dragged his effort wide of the goal.

A minute from time Rovers were reduced to ten men when Sam Carter received a second yellow after a late tackle, frustration getting the better of him as the game slipped away .

A tense three minutes of injury time followed but Blues held firm to record a third league win and cap a well deserved win reward for their energetic performance.

Sambridge, McQueen, Clark, Dark, Ahern, Price - Placid (Paxman 60), Omolabi (Levett 83), Chukwu, Hahn, Melaugh (Agunbiade 70)

Sub not used: Miller