Dominant but no win Grays dominated Bognor on Tuesday, but could not convert that dominance into points.
Right from the whistle the visitors had set about Bognor, with ex-Hammer Freddy Eastwood and ex-QPR new boy Leroy Griffiths rampant.
Despite the duo’s pressure the home side scored first. Grays keeper Mel Capleton, restored to the first team after a spell on the bench, managed to smother a powerful – and rare – Bognor shot in the 30th minute. But the rebound was hammered home against the run of play.
Griffiths and Eastwood obviously relished the immaculate Bognor turf. Five minutes after going behind Griffiths’ skill and muscle got him through in the middle. He was taken wide but, instead of shooting, cut back unselfishly for Eastwood to tap in and equalise.
In the second half Bognor made tactical changes, exerting more midfield pressure and forcing Grays into playing a longer ball game. Martin Carthy looked dangerous, but the killer blow came with just five minutes to go when sloppy defending allowed Bognor’s free-kick to be headed home.
That Grays lost will annoy Mark Stimson.
But he knows he had put together an unstoppable strike-force. It’s the Grays defence which must get tighter. If Grays’ back four manage this, they would be in for a classic 2003-4.
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the match report
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