Derby delight for Stimson’s battlers
A late goal from Stevland Angus helped Grays to deservedly edge past Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night.
Such was Grays’ dominance over the near-rivals the only surprise was that they to wait so long to net the winning goal and in doing so re-assert their position at the top of the Conference table.
Skipper Stuart Thurgood put Blues in front deep into the half but a controversial equaliser from Chris Moore looked to have given the Daggers a fortunate share of the spoils.
But, with three minutes left on the clock, Jamie Slabber’s thumping header was parried by Tony Roberts, and after the ex-Tottenham man’s follow up was again thwarted by the veteran keeper, Angus was on hand to bundle the ball home.
”Stevland played his best game for us tonight and that goal capped it for him”, said Blues boss Mark Stimson afterwards. “He made one fantastic tackle in the first half and looked after two very dangerous forwards very well all night.
”But I’m pleased for all my players. We have got a very young team who are all still learning. I think six of the players were 21 or under and they are all very impressive.”
Grays’ win, coupled with Accrington Stanley’s defeat at Morecambe means the Blues are now three points clear at the top of the table, but Stimson maintained he won’t get carried away by his side’s start.
”We’re not looking around us at other people’s results right now,” he said. “We are a step nearer that safety mark after tonight and once we get to that point then we can kick on from there.”
The Grays supremo made one change from the side that won at Crawley three days previously with Aaron McLean drafted in to replace teenager Gary Hooper, whose precocious talent is still being protected his manager.
The opening exchanges were typical derby fare with both side’s refusing to give an inch as tackles flew in right, left and centre.
It was the visitors who settled the first and began to press their hosts into their half with Thurgood once again producing a dominant midfield display.
McLean stretched to head an early chance into Roberts’ arms before Angus made a goal-saving tackle to deny ex-Thurrock man, Tresor Kandol at the other end.
Slabber had an appeal for a penalty waved away when he was felled by Anwar Uddin and Dennis Oli fizzed an effort over the bar as Grays threatened to break the deadlock.
But Moore replied in kind for the Daggers when he looped a header agonisingly wide after good work from Danny Foster as the home side showed enough potential to keep the Blues back line on their toes.
The league leaders eventually got the opening goal after a spell of sustained pressure that had their opponents on the roped.
John Nutter picked up the ball, after Dean Brennan’s corner was half cleared, and his deep cross was controlled beautifully by Thurgood at the back post and the ex-Shrimper made no mistake with his angled finish.
Daggers finished the half strongly with Craig Mackail-Smith and Lee Goodwin going close and they carried that form over after the interval, equalising within three minutes.
A long throw from Goodwin reached Moore, after Jamie Stuart and Angus had collided in the six-yard box and the highly sought-after striker span and shot firmly past Nicky Eyre as the two Grays centre backs lay prostrate on the turf.
”Where else do you see two players laying on the turf with head injured and the ref not stop the game?” said Stimson afterwards.
Stuart was so badly bloodied by the collision he was instantly replaced by Lee Matthews who received a warm ovation on his return to his former club.
A series of fierce challenges then saw McLean and Ashley Vickers enter the book before the game fell back into the pattern of the first half with Grays very much on top.
McLean should have scored from close range after a mistake from Shane Blackett and Oli set-up Thurgood and Nutter for strikes which both went desperately close. Oli himself then fired over from no more than six-yard out.
Stimson threw on Bertie Brayley and Gary Hooper in search of a winner, playing at times with an ambitious four-pronged attack and they courageous decision paid dividends three minutes from time when Brayley’s corner was eventually rammed home by Angus to the delight of the away fans.
During a week in which Grays chairman threatened to walk out of the club because of clashes with a handful of supporters, the travelling contingent voiced their regard for their benefactor after the victory was sealed.
Stimson was pleased to hear the fans chanting Woodward’s name but was disappointed there wasn’t more noise coming from the away support throughout the game.
”It’s great that they showed their respect for the man who has put this club where they, but I think the 50 or 60 fans we took to Hereford made more noise than our fans did tonight. It was disappointing” he said.
Report by Ryan Goad
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the match report
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