Hitchin put stop to Grays’ success
It had to end somewhere, and it ended at Hitchin. The run-away success of Grays’ recent form was derailed on a muddy and cut-up pitch on Saturday.
Despite having Stuart Thurgood back from suspension, Grays were uninspiring in the first half.
Blues keeper Mel Capleton thwarted a couple of soft chances from Josh Sozzo and at the other end Martin Carthy drove in a low and hard shot which was scooped up by goalkeeper Richard Wilmot.
Leroy Griffiths threatened in the second half but Wilmott was equal to Freddy Eastwood’s strike.
The home side scored the only goal of the match in the 65th minute. Hitchin’s increased pressure won them a series of corners at Top Field and finally Mark Bridge snuck in a clipped goal from mark Coulson’s corner kick.
Blues – keen to come away with a point or three – went on the offensive and Griffiths came close, and Freddy Eastwood closer still with just 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
Hitchin defended in numbers and although manager Mark Stimson changed the manpower, the match just slid away from the Blues.
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the match report
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