Grays Athletic 2 St. Albans City 0

[Woody]

Despite what you may read on the website, this was in no way a comfortable victory for Grays and neither did they prove too strong for us.

 

With the exception of possibly the first 45 minutes against Hornchurch, this was our best performance of the season. For a full time side, Grays were disappointing and for long periods in the second half, were on the rack as we looked for the equaliser.

 

Clarke missed a good opportunity in the first half to put us in front and it was only when, on the stoke of half time, Bastock was obstructed in trying to punch away a free kick, the ball reached Matthews who calmly nodded the ball into the open goal. Not only was Bastock fouled, the free kick awarded for a foul on Griffiths, who wasn't touched, should never have been awarded in the first place. Matthews header was Grays' only strike on target the whole first half.

 

The second half continued in much the same vein, with Davis missing a good chance to equalise early on, Bayes making two outstanding saves from Hann and Davis and Clarke having a very good penalty shout turned down. On 79 mins, Saints upped the ante searching for the equaliser and got caught on the break, resulting in Brennan making the game safe for Grays with virtually their only shot on target of the second half.

 

This was a tremendous performance by the Saints this afternoon, despite the result. The very least we deserved was a draw. I don't know what Colin Lippiatt is doing but whatever it is, it is working. It is a great pity that Redbridge, Maidenhead and Carshalton all won today. For the Saints, Gary Elphick and Tom Davis made their debuts today. Elphick was solid and Davis was outstanding.

 

Team - Bastock; Hooper, Elphick, Martin, Cousins; Hann, Roddis, Davis, Parker; Nolan (Beech), Clarke.

 

Subs - Armand, Seeby, Marwa, Zoricich.

 

 

Bring on Redbridge.

 

 

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[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Agreed, we were pretty good yesterday and I'd expect max points on Tuesday.

Tom Davis was quality especially when you consider he apparently had a car crash on the M25 on the way to the game.