Grays’ fine run goes on City
Blues lengthened their unbeaten run and kept up the pressure on Hornchurch on Saturday.
Athletic travelled to Cambridge at the weekend and must have been relieved when City lost their on-form striker Jon Stevenson after only a few minutes with a pulled hamstring.
Grays lived dangerously early on as Richard Scott’s short-corner was met by Carl Williamson, but his effort was stifles by Blues keeper Carl Emberson.
With just 10 minutes gone City keeper Duncan Roberts strayed off his line to clear Daniel Lunan’s cross but the luckless keeper collided with two team-mates and Freddy Eastwood headed home.
The Lilywhites continues to struggle as Martin Carthy combined with Eastwood, but the super-striker’s shot was parried by an increasingly under-siege defence.
Home keeper Roberts’ earlier injury forced him off and City were left relying on Lee Chaffey to swap his defenders positions for goalie’s gloves.
Although they upped their game – Emberson only just pushed out a fierce left foot shot from Carl Williamson – it was defender Eddie Youds who again made the ball safe.
Both sides produced chances, but in the second half Martin Carthy was shutting down the opposition while directing traffic for the Blues front men.
With Powell and Nutter coming on for the tiring Eastwood and Brennan after 60 minutes, Blues’ Mitchell Cole came close in the 73rd minute when his free header from close range spun wide.
The breakthrough came with just over 10 minutes left when Leroy Griffiths set off down the right to find Vill Powell who headed home.
Grays’ record so far is the most envied in the league to date. And although City nearly nabbed a consolation goal, Emberson was alert to a late shot which he nudged over.
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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