Grays Ath made the short trip across the QEII Bridge on Tuesday evening to VCD Athletic, looking to make progress in the FA Trophy. In recent seasons, cup runs have been few and far between for Blues fans, but this year things are looking better. Manager Lewis Dark went with a very attacking line-up, aiming to make a real impression on the game and his selection was soon justified.
This time rather than concede the early goal, it was Grays that made the breakthrough with just 3 minutes on the clock. The ball fell to Anointed Chukwu on the edge of the penalty area. And in his first game for the Blues following his return, his sweet left foot shot hit the back of net for a 1-0 lead, with former Grays custodian George Kamurasi helpless.
Blues didn’t let up, with Sam Bantick failing to convert a double chance and Rob Clark having a long shot tipped over the bar by Kamurasi. But it seemed only a matter of time and so it proved. On 21 minutes, VCD failed to maintain possession from their own throw-in. Bantick picked up the ball and drove forward and his shot from the edge of the box rebounded off a post, hit Kamurasi and went in. Bantick’s goal or an OG. You decide – but whatever, the scoreboard said 2-0.
Blues were clearly benefitting from the return to the starting XI of both Clarks, Lewis and Rob. VCD were industrious, with Karl Dent orchestrating things in midfield. But Grays keeper, Danny Sambridge remained largely untroubled. The home side’s first real chance came after 25 minutes, when the lively Youssef Bamba brought a save from Sambridge and moments later the same player had a fierce drive blocked bravely by Geoff Okonkwo.
But Grays refused to relent. Bantick hit a post again and Josh Osude was causing the usual mayhem with his pace. Then three minutes before half time, following a period of good possession, the ball landed at the feet of Ronnie Winn, who took aim and his shot took a deflection, again giving Kamurasi no chance but putting Blues 3-0 ahead.

Half time: VCD Athletic 0 v 3 Grays Athletic
As in the recent FA Cup tie at Edgware & Kingsbury, Grays had done the heavy lifting in the first half and the second 45 minutes was all about game management. The most notable action was probably the torrential downpour that greeted the players as they came out of the changing rooms. But the pitch was an excellent one and the deluge caused no issue.
It was up to the home side to make the running but Chukwu could have put the tie firmly to bed in the first minute of the half, his shot from a narrowing angle failing to beat the keeper.
VCD certainly showed more intent than in the first half, with fullback Khanye Makhosini impressing but the Blues defence sat back and soaked up whatever VCD offered, content to play on the break with Osude and Bantick leading the charge.
Makhosini nearly finished the night for the Vickers when his misplaced backheader had keeper and defence scrambling to the far post. Indeed, it took until the 88th minute for VCD to fashion a clear chance of their own, with sub Anthony Adesite setting up another man off the bench, Daniel Phillips inside the six yard box. But Sambridge was alert and smothered the chance.
More worrying for the Blues fans came late on, having used all three subs, Geoff Okonkwo was forced to leave the pitch without replacement, still suffering from the effects of an earlier clash of heads. With key games coming up, we hope there are no lasting effects.
Blues manager, Lewis Dark, can be well pleased with his side tonight. Their set-up, application and execution was too sharp for VCD, especially after the barrage of first half goals. The next round of the FA Trophy, already drawn, sees Blues at home to Merstham on the weekend of 24/25 September – with the cup action coming thick and fast, this Saturday Grays entertain Shefford Town & Campton in the FA Cup.
Final Score: VCD Athletic 0 v 3 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Toussaint, Joynes, R.Winn, L.Clark, Okonkwo, Osude, R.Clark (G.Winn, 68), Chukwu (Melaugh, 78), Hahn (Homans, 46), Bantick
Subs not used: Griek, Karby, Lynch