GRAYS ATH made heavy weather to win 3-2 victory in the heart of Bedfordshire against AFC Dunstable in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.
The first chance came in the 2nd minute when Junior Baker's header flashed across the area. Debut keeper Andy Hall showed why he is so highly valued with a great low block in a crowded area in the 4th minute.
EAST Thurrock United welcomed back free-scoring winger Kris Newby and defensive acquisition Ricky Hayles for Saturday's Ryman Premier clash, but the newcomers were largely anonymous in an indifferent Rock performance that saw them well beaten.
IT was not as easy as it sounds. Ruislip kept in touch until the last fifteen minutes but as the temperature rose on a sweltering day then so Thurrock also turned up the heat.
A goal in the ninety-seventh minute secured Thurrocks first three points of the season and lifted them from the bottom of the Blue Square Bet South division. In a game that was played out at a sedate pace throughout with Thurrock taking the lead twice and being pegged back twice but deservedly they took the points.
The road to recovery starts here with a great fighting victory by Robbie Garvey's men. Covo's men just can't get going this season as they are outplayed by Cray. Tilbury's unbeaten start to the season continues as they once again impress down at Chadfields.
However, when Kye Ruel bumped into the back of a canny John Easterford as he tried to recover an over-hit corner, Mr Fissendon chose the moment to award a penalty. Possibly buckling under pressure from home fans who had berated him early for denying them a handball shout he pointed to the spot, but it was the most marginal of decisions, with visiting players believing Easterford had cynically ‘bought’ the spot kick by astutely falling to the ground, while there was good case for arguing the point of contact was outside the box anyway.
Grays had the vast majority of the possession but nearly every attack ended with them hitting the ball at the keeper. Joao Carlos and Dave Cowley out a vast number of crosses in from the left and right but to no avail. There was no tall bustling centre forward to put them in. Instead neither Jared Small nor Joe Sweeney who was as quiet and ineffective as he was on Saturday could capitalise. Indeed, neither Kenny Beaney nor Harry Agombar could impose themselves either as the game was played in diagonal direction.
Lee Boylan came on as sub at the start of the second half replacing Paul Terry giving Thurrock another option.
Unfortunately the frenetic play from Thurrock looked promising but paid no dividends and on 54 minutes Welling added a third from Loick Piers and on 61 minutes a fourth from Andy Pugh.
Welling eased of the gas and took control of the game and played out the rest of time without many chances being created by either side.
Thurrock now with just one point from 18 are firmly rooted at the bottom of the division with no easy games this season its going to be a long and tough season ahead.
Grays Ath go back to the top of the league with an entertaining win against Great Wakering. Rock bottom Thurrock are still winless after shipping four against table topping Welling.
Thurrock suffer yet another defeat as they slump to the bottom of the league. This was despite going 1-0 in the 5th minute with a marvellous strike by loan signing Alex Osborn.
Tilbury saw Emiel Aiken and Gary Henty threaten to break the deadlock though he best opportunity of the half fell to Sudbury’s James Baker just before the break but he who fired over from six yards.
Dockers came out strong after the break and took the lead on 50 minutes when Emile Aiken was played into the box and crossed for Bradley Barnes to smash home. Within four minutes it was level when good work by the excellent David Emmanuel played in Richard Howell who shot low into the net.
A THOROUGHLY entertaining match ended all square but in controversy as Rocks’ tiggerish midfielder and man-of-the-match Reiss Gilbey was sent off after being adjudged to have brought down last man Alex Dyer, with Richard Jolly stepping up to convert the late, game tying penalty.
Dyer made a greet impact from the bench, dragging his side level after Rocks had taken a 3-1 lead, looking to have the points in the bag.
GRAYS missed the opportunity to collect another three points when they let ten-man Heybridge back into the game to draw at the Scraley Road ground.
Cowley immediately looked more comfortable on this surface. Kenny Beaney winning early exchanges in midfield. Grays were forcing mistakes.
The first challenge is to put things in perspective. Grays are not going to win every game. There will be losses and this could be one of them. There were moments of vulnerability on Wednesday. Hakan will need to be patient with his wingers: Dave Cowley was quiet and Joao Carlos tends to run into defenders, lose the ball and leave the left back very vulnerable. He may get away with that (just) against Ware but Heybridge will exploit that. Having said that, on a lovely pitch, the two of them should be very dangerous.
Busy weekend of football with ten games on over the holiday. It is a bit gloomy for Thurrock, Aveley and East Thurrock but Grays and Tilbury are basking at the top of the table. Early days and by Monday at 5pm, things could be different.
