Ryman Div One North
Harlow Town 1 v 2 Grays Ath
AN INJURY time winner has put Grays Athletic on the edge of promotion with a 2-1 win against Harlow Town at Barrows Farm.
And it was all down to an inspired double substitution from boss Hakan Heyrettin that put the Blues on the edge of promotion.
Harlow Town were a dangerous outfit, despite their lowly position. Shamir Mullings was giving them plenty to think about up front.
Grays were playing an attacking game. Jeff Hammond injected pace up front with Jack West buzzing about in the hole.
In the 18th minute, Mullings combined well with Joakim Ehui. The ball slid along the box but it was just out of the reach of Karnel Harvey.
Infact, Jack West’s wild shot in the 20th minute was Grays first real chance of the half.
The Hawks continued to be disciplined and well-organised despite Grays swift and positive play
The level of control was good. Jeff Hammond produced a great pull down but couldn’t get a shot in while Ryan Kirby showed great composure snuffing out an attack.
The second half burst into life as Karnel Harvey rampaged down the left, unleashed a great shot but it was met by a great save from George Kamarusi.
Grays picked up the pace and should have scored in the 48th minute but Kris Newby blasted over from close range.
With three tough games ahead, Grays had to go for the three points. A Lee Flynn free kick was punched out by James Hassell but only as far as Danny Bunce but his radar was off and he blasted over.
Kenny Beaney did the same thing a few minutes later.
But Piers Wixon scored a cracker against Tilbury a few weeks ago and in the 68th minute he did it again with a wonderful shot from outside the area.
Grays rang the changes as Danny Bunce and Jack West made way for Jared Small and Joao Carlos.
Grays were not playing badly, Harlow were simply realising their potential.
But anything Harlow could do, Grays could do as well and in the 76th minute, a loose ball fell to Jared Small outside the box and he shot low, hard and into the far corner of the Harlow net.
This was now frantic stuff and highly entertaining (for the neutral). Grays fans were in great voice as they urged their side towards the finishing line.
And like against so many teams, Grays Ath came back from a goal down to win. In the 90th minute, Junior Baker burst forward on the left, played it through to Joao Carlos and the winger blasted the ball home to give the Blues all three points.
Grays Ath now go forward to Saturday where they meet second in the table, Maldon and Tiptree. Three points will see Grays promoted to the Ryman Premier.
Att: 141
Harlow Town: Hassell J, Hart B, Toonga K, Wheeler C, Akande M, Muguo S, Ehui J, O’Donoghue J, Wixon P, Mullings S, Harvey K
Subs not used: Dauti G, Eatwell L, Hunte N, Brimacombe-Wiard J, Knowles D
Grays Ath: Kamarusi G, East D, Flynn L, Baker J, Kirby R, Lalite L, Bunce D (Subola D 80), Beaney K, West J (Carlos J 75), Hammond J (Small J 76), Newby K
Subs not used:Sweeney J, Marshall L
Ref: Mr M Foley
Sorry, Ed.
STILL mathematically possible for Grays to lose the title if we only draw with Maltip on Saturday, and lose our last three games and Maltip win their last three.
Don’t you just sums!!
I meant don’t you just LOVE sums!
Excellent video Mike. Appreciated the editing that went into it – not so much dead time whilst players have to fetch the ball for throw-ins etc. Capturing 2 of the three goals wasn’t too shabby either, as a certain golfer once said, the more you practice the luckier you get! Knowing that Grays often get late late goals these days also helped. Also agree with GRAYSATH it ain’t over yet, but I would rather be in Grays position than M&T’s
MC – thanks for the amendment at the end of the report – perfect!