Ryman Div One North
Grays Ath 3 v 1 Potters Bar Town
GRAYS ATHLETIC once again saved their best work for the second half as they ran out 3-1 winners against fellow promotion-chasing Potters Bar at Rookery Hill.
The game started quietly with Grays feeling there way. Grays have three big games in seven days so looked to pace themselves.
Harry Agombar was probing away and Kenny Beaney was cleaning up whilst Joe Dixon looked a class apart even in the early stages.
The deadlock was soon broken. In the 11th minute, Agombar found space just outside the box, slipped it to Joao Carlos on the left who picked his spot low and hard to the right of the area.
Potters Bar have been on a good run of late and now lie on fifth place but were behind the pace and making awful clangers. Bar keeper Matt Bennett did well to save a Harry Agombar 25-yard-strike and Grays were passing at will.
But Grays got bogged down in the first half and started to let Bar in, not that they threatened but the fans were keen for Grays to put this game to bed.
And sure enough Potters Bar got back into this as striker Rob Magwood showed swift feet in the box to find space and hammer the ball past Andy Hall.
Potters Bar could have made it two when Fabian Simms hit the bar just before half time.
Grays came out after the break and continued to assert themselves but also continued to dwell on the ball at the back.
The game changed in the 50th minute when Don Adamo brought down Joe Dixon. As he was the last man, referee Sam Purkiss had no option but to send him off.
Louis Dennis came on for a tiring Joe Dixon.
Potters Bar clearly felt aggrieved and went on the attack. Brad Harrison continued to work a shift up front.
But on the hour, Grays went back in front. The ball spread across the pitch, Bunce crossed from the right, Louis Dennis headed back and Leon McKenzie volleyed it home from close range.
David Cowley came on in the 65th minute and made it 3-1 in the 66th with a fine strike from thirty yards with his left foot.
Grays were now much more relaxed. Harry Agombar hit the bar from a corner.
At the other end, Andy Hall made a fine save from close range in one of Bar’s rare attacks.
But Grays comfortably saw out the game as they look to Harlow on Tuesday and then the big game away at Needham Market.
Att: 250
Grays Ath: A Hall, C Pope, L McKenzie (J Sweeney 75), J Dixon (L Dennis 60), B Thomas, G Cooper, D Bunce, K Beaney, L Flynn, H Agombar, J Carlos (D Cowley 65).
Subs not used: J Baker, J Sweeney, S Muguo
