FA Trophy Preliminary Round
Grays Athletic 2 v 1 Aylesbury
GRAYS overcame some jittery moments to beat Aylesbury 2-1 in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy at the Rush Green Stadium.
Grays made the perfect start. Luke Marshall slipped the ball from the right into Joe Sweeney in space and after merely fifteen seconds, blasted the ball past Richard Roberts.
Hakan had spent a little time with the players after the last game and clearly wanted more.
It was good to see James Bunn start as he provides an anchor for the team.
Aylesbury’s tackling was atrocious and Lee Grace was justly given a red card for an atrocious tackle on Joao Carlos.
But in the 15th minute, Grant Cooper made a dreadful mistake in attempting to pass back, Haule pounced and curled the ball around the Blues keeper.
But after a few frustrating minutes, Grays edged ahead again. Very patient play around the park saw the ball come down the left flank, Bunn looped the ball cross and Joao Carlos struck it from close range and in.
Grays started to really express themselves. A glorious cross-field ball from Leon Lalite found Joao Carlos whose curled shot hit the bar.
Aylesbury had a great chance in the 32nd minute but Jack Ross shot over the bar.
Grays had chances early in the second half. Keeper Roberts made a good point blank save from Luke Marshall in the 49th minute.
Aylesbury had their half chances and you feared that Grays needed to get daylight in order to make sure of the tie.
Danny Bunce came off the bench and gave valuable impetus to the attacks (even though he is being played out of position). Craig Pope produced a lovely feint to set up a shot and Jack West had half a chance but they couldn’t extend the lead.
The second half petered out with Grays never convincing but just keeping enough possession to keep Aylesbury at bay.
Kamarusi G, Pope C, Cooper G, Baker J, Flynn L, Marshall L (Bunce D 75) , Lalite L, Hall J, Carlos J, Bunn J (Richards J 85), Sweeney J (West J 75)
Subs not used: East D, Scarlett T,
