This rehearsal for next week’s FA Trophy clash saw Blues extend their lead to 15 points at the top of the Conference South table in a match decided by a goal from Stuart Thurgood.
After opening exchanges which saw both sides create chances, the home side took the lead on 18 minutes when much travelled striker Dean Holdsworth was fouled in the box by Lee Matthews, who was booked for this troubles. Holdsworth picked himself up to send Ashley Bates the wrong way with the penalty.
Grays weren’t fazed at going behind and continued with some enterprising play on a very poor pitch. Their tenacity was rewarded on 30 minutes when Dean Brennan picked out Leroy Griffiths, who showed great composure to take the ball, create the opening and rifle the ball home.
The goal was followed by a 15 minute stoppage for an injury to a linesman and when play restarted with a new official it took some time for the tempo of the match to pick up.
It did so just before the break when Brennan smashed a shot over the bar.
There was a different feel to the second half, with Havant taking a more physical approach and within minutes of the re-start ex-Pompey defender Robbie Pethwick was cautioned for a bad tackle of John Martin.
At the other end Bayes saved from former Spurs man Darren Caskey before Grays’ Jamie Stuart and the home side’s Shaun Wilkinson were booked for bad challengers.
Holdsworth wasted a great chance to put his side ahead on the hour, blazing over from close range.
Five minutes later, Wilkinson received his second yellow card for a foul on Joe Bruce, prompting a ten man brawl, as a result of which Bruce was also cautioned.
Grays then made two substitutions with Mitchell Cole replacing Martin, and then Dennis Oli swapping with Brennan. In between substitutions John Nutter received his first every booking for throwing the ball back to one of the Hawk’s players, who made a meal of it, alleging he had been struck in the face.
The petty antics of Havant continued until the close, but the last laugh was to be with Grays when, in added time, Thurgood smashed home a 25-yard volley to clinch the points.
Thanks to The Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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