Concord Rangers 1 v 3 Grays Athletic

After two postponements due to the recent freezing conditions, Blues took on Concord Rangers at Bowers & Pitsea on Tuesday evening, for the right to play Canvey Island in the Essex Senior Cup quarter final. Manager, Lewis Dark gave first team starting debuts to two of the U23 squad, Troy Osei-Bobie and Mekhi Clarke. Both did more than justify the boss’s faith in them, with memorable performances that drove the Blues onto a fine victory – against a side two levels higher.
Grays settled into their game early, determined not to be overawed by the opposition, who fielded a side packed with experience. And it was the home side who had the first great chance of the evening when Saleem Akanbi broke clear but couldn’t beat keeper, Danny Sambridge, in a one-on-one.
Blues almost made them pay immediately when Cheyce Grant crossed from the left, finding Osei-Bobie, whose header was straight at Mitch Beeney in the home goal. But it didn’t take Blues long. In the 13th minute, with James Blanchfield lying injured near the half way line but the referee happy to play on, George Winn crossed the ball. Callum Watts took the ball on his chest and planted his shot calmly into the net for a 1-0 lead.
And it was soon 2-0. Mekhi Clarke was brought down 20 yards out by Harvey Beckett, when bearing down on goal. Rob Clark lined up the free kick and took advantage of a shaky Concord wall, to drive the ball into the far corner.
The home side were stunned and began to think they could bombard Grays into submission. They launched a series of long right-to-left passes towards their forward line. But the Blues central defensive pairing of Lewis Clark and the returning Geoff Okonkwo were in a “They shall not pass” mood.
Just after the half hour, the travelling Blues fans were in raptures. A long Sambridge clearance found George Winn and he fed Grant, who won a corner. Grant, himself, took the dead ball and found Osei-Bobie advancing into the box, who side-footed a brilliant athletic volley into the net, to make it 3-0.
It really was a most memorable half for Grays, soaking up everything their higher-placed hosts threw at them, and three sparkling goals to top it off.
Half time: Concord Rangers 0 v 3 Grays Athletic

Despite the scoreline, Grays knew that the game was not over and that Concord would come out fighting. Indeed, there were warning signs just two minutes in, when a Ben Williamson header only found the side netting from close range. He should have done better.
Corcord thought they had found a way back into the match on 54 minutes when sub, Nana Keyi hit the deck in the penalty box under a challenge from Okonkwo. Mo Bettamer stepped up confidently to make it 3-1 from the spot.
But Grays smelt a giant-killing opportunity and refused to give in. Concord started to exchange passes well, realising the long ball tactics just weren’t working. However, every man in a Blue shirt was up for the challenge. Special mention really has to be made of the four less experienced Grays players on the pitch. Clarke and Osei-Bobie, on from the start, brought boundless energy and skill to the collective endeavour. They were replaced by Joe Damrell and Osazee Osaz who both showed character beyond their years, keeping the ball and taking time out of the game.
At the back, the whole line of Toussaint, Okonkwo, Lewis Clark and George Winn took it in turns to tackle and clear the ball. Sometimes “Row Z” football is just what’s called for. This was no game for dancing the ball out of the back four. Concord ran to the last but had no solution.
So, an excellent night’s work for Lewis Dark’s men, bringing their fine league form into this cup encounter and showing they can mix it at a higher level. But the challenges keep coming, with the visit of league leaders, AFC Sudbury, to Parkside on Saturday.
Final score: Concord Rangers 1 v 3 Grays Athletic
Grays Ath: Sambridge, Toussaint, G.Winn, R.Clark, L.Clark, Okonkwo, Watts, Hahn, Osei-Bobie (Osaz, 81), Grant (Joynes, 90), Clarke (Damrell, 52)
Sub not used: Griek,