SUTTON LEFT 'SMARTIN' FROM JOHNNY'S HAT-TRICK
Grays moved a step closer to automatic promotion to the National Conference after thrashing mid-table Sutton United 6-0 at Gander Green Lane yesterday. U’s looked a completely different outfit to the one Blues had faced two weeks ago in the Trophy tie, displaying none of the physical resilience that was so apparent on that occasion, and despite a soggy pitch Grays proceeded to run the home side ragged for virtually the whole of the ninety minutes.
Sutton started brightly enough, but it wasn’t long before Blues had taken control and the lead. On 8 minutes, good interplay by Oli and Griffiths set-up West, only for the striker’s shot to be blocked by U’s keeper Phil Wilson, but John Martin was on hand to slot the ball home from close range.
Two minutes later Martin screwed a shot narrowly wide from a Griffiths cross, and at the other end Matt Gray blasted over.
With seventeen minutes on the clock, Grays extended their lead. Lee Matthews dribbled the ball unchallenged into the box, where it was deflected to the unmarked Martin at the back post, leaving him the simplest of tap-ins.
Sutton Manager, John Rains was then forced to bring Graham Tydeman off the bench to replace left-back Lewis Gonsalves, who had sustained a knee injury.
Excellent defending by resolute Jamie Stuart kept both Eddie Akumoah and Gray at bay, and Wilson although looking a bit shaky denied Martin from his twenty-three yard free kick.
Late chances fell to Dean Brennan, having been put through by play-maker Griffiths, but his shot took a deflection straight into the keeper’s grateful hands, and U’s Craig Watkins saw his bicycle kick blocked by Blue’s defence.
Sutton Skipper Scott Corbett failed to reappear for the second half, and omens weren’t looking good for the hosts, when two minutes later Gray fell to the ground clutching his thigh after mis-hitting a cross, and was subsequently replaced by Danny Dray.
In the 47th minute, just prior to Gray limping off, Griffiths latched onto a long pass, dummied a defender, and calmly drove the ball past the despairing Wilson for Blues third goal.
With the home side now in total disarray, Griffiths who was having a great game again turned provider, this time setting up West but keeper Wilson parried the forward’s shot, leaving Brennan the task of collecting the loose ball and firing home from twelve yards.
Two minutes later things went from bad to worse for U’s. It proved to be third time lucky for West, as he connected with Martin’s through ball, shimmied past two defenders to curl the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Grays continued to lay siege to Sutton’s goal, with the opposition sitting very deep and just looking for the odd break. Stuart Thurgood sent his twenty yard strike over the bar, and Wilson produced an excellent save at full-stretch from Martin’s looping effort. The midfielder then had a gilt-edged opportunity to get his third and Blue’s sixth goal; Griffiths, a delight to watch, put in an inch perfect cross but the skilful Martin sent his shot just wide of the upright.
In the 71st minute, just to compound to U’s woes, ex-Dover and Farnborough striker Joff Vansittart was dismissed for a comment made to one of the linesmen.
Blues who had already brought on Gary Hooper for Dennis Oli, and Mitchell Cole for Brennan, made their third substitution replacing West with Tony Battersby. Almost immediately the target man came close sending a bullet header narrowly wide.
Sutton then had a little flurry but it amounted to nothing, and with eight minutes remaining Grays put the final nail in the coffin; Cole made a superb run down the flank to the by-line, and pulled the ball back for ‘on fire’ Martin to drive home and complete his hat-trick.
Blues having done more than enough were now content to just knock the ball around awaiting the final whistle.
Report by Carol Dover
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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