GOAL SHY BLUES

After a lacklustre performance last Saturday Blues fans would have expected a reaction from their team but sadly it wasn't to be . A bright start flattered to deceive, on top for periods in the first half they failed to turn territory into goals . Soham who had rarely threatened in this period went in front against the run of play, scoring what would turn out to be the winning goal from a poorly defended free kick. What followed in the second half fell far below what is expected of a team playing in Grays colours. It lacked purpose, direction, passion and a will to win, apart from one or two exceptions the team surrendered meekly to their hosts who displayed all that's required to win football matches. Blues welcomed back from injury Lewis Clarke , Lewis Dark, and Ryan Melaugh but were still missing Joao Carlos, Rob Bartley, Albert Levett and Pat Ahern.

The start promised much but unfortunately failed to make a breakthrough, a succession of corners, throws and free kicks failed to trouble what looked a cumbersome defence and the aggression needed to attack the ball was just not there, you felt if the hosts could ride out the pressure then they might snatch a goal and they did just that.

Growing into the game and playing expansively Soham were rewarded with a free kick wide on the right. A curling free kick to the far post wasn't dealt with by Blues defenders allowing Cameron Watson to steal in and touch the ball home on 37 minutes.

Blues replied in the shape of Ryan Sammons - driving forward, he drilled an effort taking a deflection for a corner, it was Sammons who looked to shoot every time he went forward unlike the front line who seemed reluctant to test Pope and put pressure on the home defenders.

HT 1-0

The start of the second period again saw Blues make the brighter start . Ryan Melaugh provided the first chance whipping in a low cross which Pope did well to push out under pressure from Mitch Hahn, a rare raid that threatened a breakthrough .

Soham were determined to hold onto their slender advantage chasing and pressing to ensure they won the vital challenges around the park, Blues made it easy for them on numerous occasions,too easily knocked off the ball. Increasingly their play became ragged, passes went astray, tackles were missed coupling that with a general lack of urgency.

A sniff of a chance fell to Anointed Chukwu who had offered little up till then, darting through he was thwarted by Pope rushing off his line to block bravely with his body. Soham had their moments firing in efforts but failed to trouble Danny Sambridge who had few saves to make.

Progressively Blues play was increasingly disjointed lacking direction. the ineffective Joe Agunbiade was replaced by Reece Price - Placid who immediately added impetus whipping in crosses which again were not aggressivelyattacked . There was though one moment of excitement when a scramble in the box saw the ball strike the upright but it lacked pace and was easily cleared.

Price - Placid tried his luck againfiring wide with Pope beaten in a belated and fruitless late rally, but that was as good as it got with the final whistle bringing to an end a disappointing afternoon.

Sambrook, Sammons,(Miller 72), Joynes, Dark, Clark, McQueen, Agunbiade (Price - Placid 59) Omolabi, Chukwu, Hahn, Melaugh (Paxman 80)

Sub Not used:Moore