Ryman Div One North
Thamesmead 1 v 5 Grays Athletic
GRAYS got their season back on track with an impressive 5-1 win at Bayliss Drive at Thamesmead Town.
The game began with a fine impression of Norman Wisdom as Thamesmead keepr Sam Mott’s attempt to clear the led to an air shot and him landing on his backside and injuring himself.
The first attack of the game in the 8th minute saw Joao Carlos and Harry Agombar combine well on the edge of the area to force a corner.
A minute later, a curling shot was also palmed over by Mott. New signing Nathan Gordon looked busy early on.
Carlos and Agombar combined well again. A minute later Agombar produced a fine point blank save from Mott. The fans could see a familiar pattern.
The attacks continued but as in every game since Leiston before Christmas, the edge came off.
In the 27th minute, Harry had another great chance from close, he did everything right but the excellent young Mott saved again.
Nathan Gordon was seeing plenty of the ball. Paul Olima was ploughing away as the target man. Only Louis Dennis seemed to be playing in a vacuum. Indeed his confidence looked totally shot.
However, Grays opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Carlos broke from his own half, found Paul Olima on the left who picked his spot passed the keeper.
Two minutes later, Nathan Gordon also opened his account as he got into the area from the right and near the dead ball line hit it low and hard behind Mott.
Grays were now where they were against Leiston before Christmas and the challenge now was to not lose this lead.
Thamesmead did not produce any attacks until on the stroke of half time but Tucker produced a good save.
It was vital for Grays that they did not concede and that is exactly what they did when they gave away a penalty in the 48th minute.
Grays fought back as Carlos buzzed the Thamesmead goal but the Kent side looked like a teqm transformed.
And it was Jaoa Carlos who restored the two goal advantage as he took on the Thamesmead defence on his own and slid the ball home.
Grays now took a grip on the game. The defence stood firm especially Junior Baker who made a great last ditch tackle.
Grays went further ahead in the 74th minute when Paul Olima put a looping header over the keeper.
The conditions were terrible but the Blues never gave up.
Danny Bunce and Anthony Ryan came on for Louis Dennis, Lee Flynn and Harry Agombar.
And Ryan immediately opened his account in the 81st minute from just inside the box to make it a great day for the Blues.
Grays Ath: Tucker T, Pope C, Cooper G, Baker J, Flynn L (Muguo S 75), Agombar H (Bunce D), Olima P, Beaney K, Dennis L (Ryan A), Gordon N, Carlos J
Subs not used: Thomas B, Bunn J
Att: 107
