GRAYS OPEN SEASON IN STYLE

If the opening game of the season lays down a marker for what is to come, then Blues fans can look forward to the months ahead with some enthusiasm. Facing one of the favourites for the title first up is never an easy assignment but Grays showed character, energy and determination in abundance. And it certainly showed the benefit of the hard pre-season that manager Jim Cooper has put the squad through. And the “Goal of the Season” competition that took place over the 90 minutes kept the crowd thoroughly entertained.
Bury Town certainly started the brighter, putting early pressure on the Grays goal but without managing to create a clear opening. The Blues defence worked hard to keep Bury’s impressive forward line of Hughes and Ramadan in check, not helped by some early decisions from referee Mr Wager, who annoyed Blues fans more than once. Slowly though Grays found their feet, with David Knight and Anointed Chukwu operating well as a front two. But the first real highlight came after 26 minutes, from Danny Gould who picked the ball up on the Grays left wing, danced his way into the box and let fly a shot that rebounded back off the crossbar.
It was the start of a manic fifteen minutes in the game. Grays were forced to make two early substitutions, when in quick succession, both centre-halves Lance Akins and Lewis Clarke hobbled off injured, with Cooper bringing on Jack McQueen and debutant Junior Nkwonta, both slotting in seamlessly. Then on 39 minutes, some slick passing from Blues found Knight in the penalty box and he set up Joe Paxman to rifle in the first goal of the season past Bury keeper Sam Blair into the far corner.
Just 60 seconds later it was 2-0 when a Bury clearance fell to the advancing Ryan Sammons who unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 yards beyond the despairing dive of Blair and off the bar into the net – sending the Grays crowd delirious. He tried exactly the same trick moments later, but this time the crossbar came to Bury’s salvation.

Half time Grays Ath 2 Bury Town 0

Bury Town were always going to come out fighting and again they were quick out of the traps, winning a series of corners The a Bury free kick conceded just outside the box taken by Will Gardner forced a good low save from Danny Sambridge, shovelling the ball round the post. For a while, the game then became rather scrappy in midfield; but it suited Grays to stifle the visitors’ undoubted skill and movement off the ball. However, Bury certainly won the “champagne moment” of the game when in the 68th minute, with no obvious option for a pass, and from a good 40 yards out, Town midfielder Jake Chambers Shaw lobbed the ball over the crowded penalty area and keeper Sambridge into the net, to make it 2-1.
Bury saw the chance of salvaging a point and attacked with purpose. But Grays held firm and several times broke away fast and with menace, especially Nkwonta and Chukwu, who both went on long runs but neither could find the final shot. Grays fans were also cheered by the sight of Mitch Hahn getting 20 minutes off the bench, a player so often at the heart of things that Grays do well.
Into injury time and Bury were throwing the kitchen sink at Grays. Keeper Blair joined the fray in the box for a late series of corners, with the ball being hacked off the line in one melee and Blair getting his head to another cross. But the Blues held firm for the three points to kickstart their season at the first time of asking.
If the squad show this level of commitment and work rate in the weeks and months ahead, then there is much to look forward to. Bury Town were fine opponents who will win far more than they lose, so this was an excellent three points.
Next up is the traditional early season “banana skin FA Cup game” against lower league opposition, this year Baldock Town. All fans dream of a successful cup run and on today’s evidence manager Jim Cooper will have his team ready for action.
Full time Grays Ath 2 Bury Town 1

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Sammons, Joynes, Dark, Clarke (Nkwonta 38), Akins (McQueen 34), Gould, Moncur (Hahn 71), Chukwu, Knight, Paxman
Subs not used: Agunbiade, Watts