Hello,

My first blog of the season covers my trip to Waltham Abbey to see their FA Trophy match with Grays Athletic. Not exactly the most picturesque of venues, but then I guess this was all about the football and not the scenery!!

On paper, Grays should have been the clear favourites, but Waltham Abbey came out of the traps like greyhounds and deservedly took the lead. The defense and particularly the goalkeeper of Grays looked very shaky and I feared the worst for them as WA continued to push forward and did look a different class.

However, it did not take too long for Grays to settle down, and although the half-time score was 1-0, I thought that Grays would have the better of the second half, and so it turned out. Not sure what the coach said at half time, but Grays were a different team on the restart. In fact I am not sure if WA came close to troubling the Grays keeper.

Grays really went at Waltham Abbey and scored a lovely goal with Junior Baker heading in a well flighted cross. Unfortunately a Waltham Abbey centre back had his nose broken in the same incident by his own goalkeeper. It didn't help matters that later in the game, the goalkeeper was then knocked out by his own captain, things you would think were not meant to turn out well. Nonetheless, Waltham Abbey held on for a lucky, yet hard fought draw and it is all to play for back at Grays ground on Wednesday.

I wish Waltham Abbey well, but feel that their chance may have gone with their home leg and Grays should be too strong for them on the return. However, I know that Waltham Abbey wont go down without a fight.

For pictures from the match, please see my website, www.kensparksphotography.co.uk where there are a few images to remember the match by. I hope you enjoy them.

Till next time, take care.

Ken