Ryman Premier
Grays Ath 2 v 0 Canvey Island
GRAYS Athletic worked hard to earn another three points as they defeated Canvey Island 2-0 at the Mill Field.
If there was ever a game that captured the feel of the phrase "winning ugly" then this was it.
The first chance of the game went to Grays when Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson found space in the box but blasted it over.
In the 4th minute Tomlinson gave the keeper the eyes from outside the box, and was unlucky not to score as the ball hit the post, with the keeper totally transfixed.
One of the qualities that marks Grays out as promotion contenders is the quality of their passing. The team are very confident on the ball.
In the 7th minute, keeper Jake Larkins did well to clear the ball off the Canvey line.
Grays had to capitalise as Canvey did not seem to offer much at first but they looked threatening on the break.
Grays looked like they could get round the back of the Canvey if they released the early ball.
But Canvey got into the game as Grays started to create trouble for themselves in defence.
The half finished with an unforced error by a Grays midfielder a shot by Canvey and a solid save from keeper Lamar Johnson.
Canvey came out and continued to threaten. The Grays fans were looking for execution up front.
You would not have described the Grays defence as being troubled but a goal would have settled nerves.
Grays brought on Harry Agombar to produce some invention.
In the 61st minute, Canvey hit the bar and were unlucky not to score. They looked more and more likely to do so.
Grays game became punctuated with unforced errors and the crowd became restless, clearly worried that this game had "rued missed chances" written all over it.
But sometimes it is about if not how and after a long forward movement in the 73rd minute, Canvey failed to clear and Dumaka got his head on the ball to score from close range.
And as one was scored, another one came in the 78th minute with former Blues star, Glenn Poole thumping the ball into his own net.
Grays travel away to Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.
Grays Athletic Johnson L, Ifill L, Siva J, Cronin S, Leader J, Stevens J (Agombar H 61),, Fortnam-Tomlinson B, Beaney K, Dumaka D, Ferguson N, Carlos J (Reynolds L 69)
Subs not used: Cummings T, Bentley M, Michael-Percil R
Canvey Island: Larkins J, Sheehan S, Dumas A, Eyong T, Halle R, (Easterford J 45) Gilchrist D, Curren J, Poole G, Yiga L, Tuohy M, Chatting H
Sub not used: Agyakwa M, Adeniji O, Pitty J, Gislette F
Ref: Oleksandr Sally
Attendance: 289
Cards:
Yellow
Sheehan S
Halle R
