Aaron finds late matchwinner for resilient Blues
Seven days after winning at Altrincham Grays were back in the Manchester region on Saturday for a tough Blue Square Premier test at Droylsden, and they kept their nerve to beat difficult opposition.
Blues didn't succumb to the intimidating atmosphere and more than matched the physical presence Droylsden displayed, which was in marked contrast to the way they had so surrpisingly failed at home to another robust side, Histon, at the New Rec on Monday.
After a slow start Droylesdon's Steve Daly drilled a shot wide and on the 20 minute mark Grays broke but Aaron O'Connor scuffed the chance on the edge of the box. A minute later O'Conner pulled the ball back to Andy Sambrook who delivered it to the head of Ernie Cooksey but the diminutive defender's effort sailed past the post.
Dennis Oli then won a free-kick and Jamie day, who had replaced Charlie hearn after just 16 minutes, sent it into the danger area but Craig McAllister headed to the left of keeper Paul Phillips but also past the post.
Both teams looked capable of creating something, Jody Banim was showing some neat touches but Grays were stifling his advances and his frustration showed when he was booked on 26 minutes for bringing down Oli.
The resulting free-kick found McAllister whose header swerved narrowly wide.
Grays were looking lively and the game had started to heat up but Droylsden won a free kick on the edge of the area 10 minutes before half time and Ros Flitney was forced to tip it wide following a deflection. There had been several minor scuffles by this point and genuine tension had grown.
Just before half time Cooksey sent Adam Gross down the left who crossed low for Donny Barnard to turn a volley against the post.
After the break Daly received a yellow card and the back chat picked up again. Soon after Daly found his way into the area and a short pass to Terry Fearns looked to have gone astray but the Grays defence fell asleep and the striker was able to find the time to fire against the post.
The ball came out to Daly, whose shot was straight at a defender.
The opening goal came Grays' way on 54 minutes. O'Connor collected the ball on the left and hit his shot across the goal, it beat the keeper but bobbled toward the back post where McAllister slid the ball into the back of the net despite the trailing defender getting a touch on it.
Droylsden responded by hitting the bar with a fierce left foot shot from Daly. The home side were fighting hard and on 63 minutes Danny Warner rode a challenge from Sambrook and a superb cross found Daly who easily headed home from the edge of the six yard box.
Grays now had to find a way back in and it was the ever present O'Connor who rounded the keeper three minutes later but his effort was stopped on the line by Colin Cryan.
Manager Justin Edinburgh introduced Millwall loaneeGavin Grant for Cooksey after 69 minutes, a welcome return for the young player who has recently been through the trauma of a harrowing court appearance, eventually being found not guilty of a crime that threatened a career that had blosomed with Grays last season.
Despite Droylsden's persistence Grays were maintaining patience and with six minutes to go a flick on by McAllister sent O'Connor through and this time there was no escape for the home side as he again took it round keeper Phillips and slammed the ball home.
McAllister was replaced by Danny Kedwell for the last four minutes and Grays tightened up at the back, holding on through four minutes of added time.
Manager Justin Edinburgh will be relieved to have taken all three points but can rest assured that although his side had allowed Droylsden to get back in the game they had proved their Blue Square credentials with a refined performance.
Oli provided some stylish touches and the defence, aside from a poor period in the second half, had been solid once more.
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the match report
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