|
22.07.2008 @ 19:45 Vauxhall Road |
Crowd:
|
|
Hemel Hempstead Town
|
0 - 4
|
Grays Athletic
|
Grays' pre-season friendlies continued to produce attractive football as they overcame Hemel Hempstead comfortably.
Grays started out at a frantic pace as if hoping to burn off their Southern League opponents in Hertfordshire. Mark Molelsey dominated the midfield with Stuart Elliot working hard behind him.
Up-front, Charlie Ide and Jamie Taylor worked hard to develop an understanding but were given plenty of space and time by a team two leagues below. In the 5th minute, Jamie Taylor produced a superb cross that Charlie Ide just couldn’t quite control.
Three minutes later Mark Molesley pierced the Tudors' defence with a perfect ball that keeper Ian Brown did well to intercept.
The majestic Molesley opened the scoring in the 15th minute when, with acres of room, 30 yards out, he curled a beautifully arced ball around the keeper.
The Tudors came back with striker Gary Sippetts giving Jon Ashton plenty to think about.
Molesley should have made it 2-0 when finding himself one-on-one he blasted it straight at the keeper But Grays did score again just before half time with a goal that they hope will be typical in the coming season. Jamie Taylor didnt give up on a ball that was going out. He fed it through to Ide who, near the dead ball line, passed over to Alex Campana who nutmegged the keeper to make it 2-0.
The Blues stayed on the pitch during the interval as the coaching staff had stern words for the squad.
They came out of the blocks in the second half with Ide and Taylor both going close.
But Grays lost their fluency.apart from Jamie Taylor. In the 60th minute, his chested pass to Ide brought applause from the sparse crowd.
In the 64th minute Jamie Taylor put the game beyond doubt when he pounced on an unforced error by the keeper to coolly pick his spot.
In the 70th minute, Jon Ashton conceded a free kick after dwelling on the ball. Paul Edgeworth produced a thunderous free kick which Steve Arnold did superbly well to turn over the bar.
Taylor became too much for the Tudors. In the 78th minute his movement forced a foul in the area but the spot kick from Ide was well saved by the keeper.
Grays saw out the rest of the half playing neat football without really threatening the Tudors goal.
Ide scored a deserved goal on the final whistle with a shot that crept under the keeper.
After the game, boss Mike Woodward was quietly pleased with the progress his team had made.
He said: "It was important for a lot of the players to get a full ninety minutes this evening. It was a tricky surface but they played well. Charlton will be a different proposition."
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the match report
Grays Starting Lineup:
Steve Arnold
Kenny Davis
Rob Gier
Jon Ashton
Adam Gross
Alex Campana
Stuart Elliot
Mark Molesley
Sam Sloma
Jamie Taylor
Charlie Ide
Subs Used
Matt Bodkin
|
|
|