Ryman Premier
Grays Athletic 0 v 1 Maidstone United
THIS WAS one of those games that Grays had so much to be proud of but in the end they went away empty handed after a 1-0 defeat against Maidstone United at the Mill Field.
Maidstone United are in the play-off positions and put five past Grays Athletic last season.
The fact that Grays Ath held them for ninety minutes is testament to the style of football Ryan Kirby’s teams play.
Early chances from Joel Nouble worried the opposition and showed that an injury depleted Grays had not come to defend.
However, time and time again, fans have been very very concerned at the lack of discipline on the field.
That really came home to roost today. Keeper, Luke Chamber was sent off in the 30th minute after fouling Maidstone striker, Zac Attwood, who was goal-bound.
Maidstone’s Frannie Collin was a handful throughout the game and Grays, now with Lamar Johnson in goal, did well to keep him out.
As the hour passed, it looked as if Grays Ath had weathered the storm. Once again, Joel Nouble had a couple of chances and Jeff Hammond went close with a free-kick.
But then disaster struck in the 68th minute when fiery defender, Craig Pope was sent off for a second yellow card.
Attempting to repel a promotion chasing team such as Maidstone is hard enough with eleven men but with nine, nigh on impossible. They nearly did it until the first minute of injury time when Fabio Saraiva scored from close range to secure all three points for the Kent side.
Att: 172
Crowd was actually 393