Grays’ fine run is brought to an end
Grays lost their unbeaten home record at the weekend. It was a timely reminder that high flying Blues are mortals after all.
The defeat also allowed Basingstoke – before the match third in the Conference South table – to claim second slot behind Hornchurch’s runaway express. Blues were pushed down into third place.
The game was a tough one for Mitchell Cole off in the seventh minute with an injury which at least gave new Bridge Road favourite Vill Powell a run out.
But even he could not turn the first half chances into goals. Stuart Thurgood had the best chance of the half as he connected with an Eddie Youds header but Scott Tarr on the Basingstoke goal proved equal to the effort. Powell was in action just before the break when he intercepted as cross from Joe Bruce, but the chance skimmed the bar.
The body blow came as the visitors’ Nathan Stamp searching cross found Neville Roach who used his head to great effect, nodding home the decider.
Injury problems looked like they were gnawing at even the strongest of Blues players when Youds went off and the second half downpour made life slippery, difficult and dangerous both on the pitch and off for Blues fans.
Basingstoke battened down the hatches and closed off Grays’ options. Long-range efforts from David Ray & Neville Roach looked threatening, but Grays’ manager Mark Stimson should not take the overturn too hard.
Unbeaten runs have to end sometime and at least Blues went down to a quality side.
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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