BACK IN July, YourThurrock wrote that the making or breaking of Grays Athletic in the 2010-11 season would be games against teams such as Thamesmead in the depths of January.
In the first half, it looked like Grays would struggle in a game on a pitch just west of Passchendale. Grays didn’t do an awful lot wrong and nor did Thamesmead but there was something about the game that had “bogged down goal-less draw” all over it.
Thamesmead had their chances indeed their best chance of the match came in the 12th minute when striker Andy Constable found the goal at his mercy but he skied it high wide and not particularly handsome.
What was noticeable was that once again Eljay Worrall was not putting a foot wrong and blended well with a calm defence. Thamesmead sent in a number of free kicks but Stephen Northwood continued to exude a calm authority throughout.
Thamesmead should have gone ahead in the 17th minute when Constable’s shot looked goalbound but, criminally, it hit the post.
Grays had their chances. In the 22nd minute, Alex Osbourn produced good work on the left, passed to John Docker who scuffed his shot wide.
22 ao looking to get in to jd who scuffed it right.
Minutes last, Docker produced more two-footed skill but again just could not get the shot on target.
Grays have been a resolute 4-4-2 so it was a surprise to see them come out 3-5-2 in the second half with Eljay taking his place on the left.
The tactic was a stroke of genius as Grays totally over-ran the midfield and gave Simon Thomas and Alex Osbourn chances a plenty.
Simon Thomas had missed from close range but Grays opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when the cross from John Docker was met by Worrall who leapt to head Grays into the lead.
Thamesmead have had some good results recently and restored the lead just five minutes later when Gabs Momodu scored from close range.
Grays though came back and produced the best 30 minutes of football of their season. Alex Osbourn’s shot flashed across the goal while at the other end, Stephen Northwood produced a great point blank save.
Thamesmead had a great chance to equalise as Momodu slipped Junior Baker and went round Stephen Northwood who did well not to foul him and was relieved to see the strikers shot stroll across his goalmouth.
Grays regained the league when Alex Osbourn beat a number of Thamesmead players in the box and hammer the ball home.
John Docker was really enjoying himself as he skipped and danced around the Thamesmead defence. He got his just desserts when he took the ball on the edge of the box and curled it round the keeper. The rout was complete when a minute later Stephen Demetriou thumped the ball into the net to give Grays a deserved three points.
Grays have been a transformed team since the game against Wingate. Credit must go to the management team of Julian and Kenny. When they switched to 3-5-2 it could have been disastrous. Instead, the team now have momentum and are now placed ten points behind the play offs with plenty to play for.
