Red hot Blues
Basement rats Welling were given a stomping by Grays at the weekend. And the win at The Bridge Road ground caused double delight. It put Blues in second place and signalled the opening of most of the new seating in the main stand which has been revamped since bulldozers moved in back in July.
And yet the 4-2 scoreline that handed Grays three points could so easily have been 7, 8 or even 9 in Blues favour.
The crowd at Bridge Road despite the simultaneous attraction of England's match with Wales – came to enjoy the revamped stand seating.
Struggling Welling United were put to the sword fairly convincingly by a Grays side which was Freddy Eastwoodless, but still had plenty of poke, though Blues also displayed the occasional wobble against a side which deserves to be at the bottom of the group.
Grays gave a debut to on-loan Spurs keeper Nicholas Eyre and fans were delighted with the return of steady Eddie Youds, the big man who is Blues defensive rock. Back again was crowd pleaser Mitchell Cole who signaled his return to fitness in style.
Two minutes in Gary Hooper proved his worth when he connected with a Mitchell Cole corner. Vill Powell doubled the advantage in the 33rd when Leroy Griffiths’ square ball was inch perfect.
Welling goalie Danny Skinner prevented several other half shots then, against the run of play, the visitors came back as Tommy Tyne scored from a floated Paul Booth cross.
And there was to be another shock for Blues when Welling scored again in the second half from James Gould.
A whipped in cross from Alistair Heselton’s was met by Gould and Eyre had no chance.
Furious Blues boss Mark Stimson glared from the Perspex-backed dugout and made changes to the line-up. Powell was taken off for striker Tony Battersby.
Blues then went on the offensive. And in the 74th minute Griffiths did his usual scoop-and-carry job and passed to the waiting Dean Brennan to hammer home.
Youds had had relatively little to do at the back, but he likes to mix it at the front too and the shaven haired one netted his second goal of the season with a bold header from John Nutter’s free-kick.
Three last minute chances from Griffiths, Brennan and Battersby could have seen the scoreline look very different but in the end Blues were happy with their victory.
Report by Frazer Clark
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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