GRAYS went to the top of the table as they carved out a hard fought victory chance against a durable Waltham Forest at the Cricklefield Stadium. It is never pretty at the Forest and this was no exception. The pitch had that Albanian tractor plant feel to it as even early on Grays struggled to control the ball but that didn't stop Dave Cowley putting in a lovely curled pass to Jared Small in the third minute.
SOMETHING is clearly going wrong at Thurrock after their third heavy defeat in eight days saw them slump to second from bottom in the league. It was a fine first half performance by Maidenhead that saw them four up by half time.
The same player stepped up to make it 3-3. With everyone in the ground then expecting the final whistle, the game continued and 2 minutes later, Bansende made room down the right hand side, crossed and Gary Henty from 35 yards rifled in off the crossbar with a stunning effort to steal the game 4-3. The referee blew up shortly after, to the delight of the Tilbury players and to the disappointment of the majority of the 172 in attendance.
YOU COULD see from the look on his face after the match that East Thurrock boss, John Coventry was less than impressed with their performance in losing to Hastings United 2-0 last night. Hastings just avoided the drop last season but looked streets ahead of the Rocks who appeared a pale imitation of the team that flourished in the Ryman Div One North last season.
Some harsh lessons for the borough teams tonight. Margate beat Aveley 3-0; Thurrock are thumped 4-0 and East Thurrock lose 2-0 but heroes of the night are Paul Vaughan's Docker boys as they beat Enfield 4-3.
Robbie Garvey is blaming himself for the poor start to the season but the strikers need to show some potency as the Fleet look to stem the flow. The Rocks hope that is one in the eye for Hastings as they look to build upon their three points at Tooting.
Early on Tom Bird went close for the Ks when he headed over from a right wing cross with four minutes on the clock, while Ellis Remy went close for the hosts up the other end as his header from Donovan Wilson’s cross went over bar, and then he somehow scooped an effort over the bar on the 15-minute mark from close range
Grays performed very well. The team turned up in suits and from that moment they looked like they had turned up for working meaning business. In his post-match interview, Joe Sweeney stressed, time and time again, the good pre-season they had had. Indeed, some players fitness came more into play the longer the game went on. Especially Harry Agombar who looked like he was chomping at the bit not only to get his season underway but also his career which stalled somewhat last season at Barnet.
However, the decisive moment went Rocks' way on 81 minutes. There appeared no danger when Rocks sub Kayan Kalipha, on for Neil Richmond who had worked had without reward, chased a ball down to the bye-line. There was little on but he turned inside and chipped an optimistic cross to the far post over the head of Lehkyz and got unexpected reward when it dropped against the inside of the woodwork and into the net.
PAUL VAUGHAN'S Tilbury produced the shock of the day as they beat local rivals Brentwood Town 2-0 at Chadfields. The Dockers outfought and out-thought Brentwood with some canny play as Gary Henty and Jack West gave the team the three points on the opening day of the season.
It's looking to be another uphill struggle for Thurrock this year as they slumped to their second home defeat in a week. Weston looked quicker and seemed to read the game better and took control from the start, yet in the second minute a defensive error put Lee Boylan in front of goal with keeper to beat but his blasted his volley high over the bar.
Gloomy for Thurrock as they suffer another defeat. East Thurrock delighted at an away win and Grays play delightful football in the sun at Rookery Hill.
IT WAS sunshine and champagne football all the way as Grays produced a fabulous 4-0 victory against Hertfordshire outfit, Ware. Grays produced everything their fans would have hoped for after the dour Dick's era with free flowing imaginative football mixed with industry and confidence.
The football season in the borough starts for real with all five teams in action. There will be a YT reporter in the press box every Saturday giving up to minute reports.
The centre of midfield will be key to Grays success this season. They never had a "Makelele" last season and it showed. In some pre seasons, Kenny Beaney looked like he could do it but he needs to put a mark on his career which has been too fitful so far. Danny Bunce could also play that role, leaving others to express and create. It will be a vital vital role. On too many occasions last year, midfields walked through Grays Ath. There is plenty of talent on the wings. Carlos looks classy as does Dave Cowley. Dave was Harlow's player of the year last year but he needs a good run. But the squad has such strength that he could run for an hour and then let Jason Fontaine come on.
