Football: Grays grab draw at Enfield

Ryman Premier

Enfield Town 1 v 1 Grays Athletic

GRAYS ATHLETIC took another solid stride towards safety after a hard earned draw against relegation-threatened Enfield Town.

Grays played with a strong work ethic throughout and probably deserved all three points.

The first corner of the game went to a spirited Enfield but it was easily cleared by Grays.

In the 6th minute, Grays earned their first free kick but Lee Flynn’s effort went straight into the keepers arms.

It was a lovely surface at the QE2 stadium and both teams looked keen to play an expansive game.

Ruddock Yala went into the referee for the second game in a row with a mis-timed tackle on Liam Hope as they pressed on.

In the 20th minute, Grays repelled an Enfield free kick. Joao Carlos broke immediately and ran the length of the pitch but could not find either Joel Nouble or Danny Bunce who were free.

Grays were playing a very high line and although Enfield were being caught offside, many felt that there was a chance coming.

Scott Dixon was the second in the book after another clumsy challenge in midfield. A minute later, Leroy Griffiths also saw yellow for a fairly innocous tackle. Soon after, Joao Carlos was victim of a nasty challenge that saw him requiring treatment and the Enfield player lucky to just receive a yellow. Either way, it seemed unlikely that we would not see a red card by the end of the night.

Enfield were exerting a lot of pressure but not really getting anywhere. One wonders if Enfield knew East Thurrock were 2-0 up against Dulwich at half time as they came out full of intent.

In the 55th minute, Joel Nouble was brought down just outside the box. Danny Bunce stepped up and piled the ball into the back of the net.

Enfield had to dig deep now as there heads had dropped very quickly. They took their risks as they made a triple substitution.

Grays dug in and were very hard to break down. Infact but for a double save in the 70th minute, it could have been curtains for Enfield.

But Enfield were getting round the back and trying to break the Blues down. A reckless Ryan Kirby foul saw a free kick outside the box. And as if to repay the compliment, Bradley Quinton struck the ball sweetly passed George Kamarusi.

Enfield pressed for all three points but had to settle for the draw. Grays were fairly pleased with their point and go on to play basement side Cray Wanderers on Thursday and then the Met Police on Saturday.

Enfield Town: Imber N, Smyth J (Lockie J 65), Stevens J, White L, Kirby M, Ewang M, Livings N, Quinton B, Hope L (Campbell T 65), Richards J, Whitely C (Doyle R 65).

Subs not used: Osei J, Hahn M

Grays Athletic: Kamurasi G, Pope C, Flynn L, Yala R, Kirby R, Bunce D, Lalite L, Dixon S (Cruickshank A 67), Nouble J, Griffiths L,Carlos J (Benjamin C 46).

Subs not used: Anderson P, Mbamarah L, Small J