Woking 1 Grays Athletic 0

Sat, April 7, 2007. Kick off: 3:00 PM in Matches

Match Report by Martin Candler

Considering what was at stake for both sides, Grays showed a surprising lethargy in the first half at the Kingsfield Stadium. In contrast, under caretaker manager Neil Smith, Woking were far more determined in the tackle and in mid-field Ben Harding and Tom Williamson, in for flu victims Johnny Martin And Ashley Nicholls, struggled to get into the game. Even inspirational skipper Stuart Thurgood was below par for the standard he sets himself and his frustration showed by getting booked later in the game. Having said that, apart from the ever-willing Aaron O’Connor up front, most Grays players looked off the pace in the opening half and only in the last twenty minutes of the match did the Blues mount a series of concerted attacks.

In the 12th minute, Craig McAllister out-jumped Jamie Stuart and headed the ball on to the big central defender Tom Hutchinson who toe-poked a volley home from close range without challenge from the Grays defence. Danny Knowles then made a terrific save from a ferocious shot by Karl Murray who, after losing his footing initially, was allowed to have a second bite at the cherry.

In the second half Knowles was called upon to make another fine save, this time from a McAllister header but was then relieved to see a shot from sub Liam Marum hit the post and rebound clear of the goal. However, Grays began to find some cohesion and the hitherto quiet Dennis Oli sprang to life and made several vintage Oli runs straight at the heart of a Woking side that sat deeper and deeper as if inviting Grays on to them. Jamie Stuart missed with a half-volley coming in on the blind side and Oli himself hit the bar with a 25 yard drive. The key chance came when sub Alex Rhodes raced through but shot agonisingly wide. It seemed that Grays must get an equaliser at least but the tenacious home defence held out for a victory greeted with a mixture of joy and relief by the Woking faithful.

A bitter defeat then that keeps the Blues in the relegation zone but on reflection they perhaps should have come away with something to show for their domination of the game late on.

Grays Athletic: Knowles, Sambrook, Downer, Stuart, Barness, Williamson (Howell 55), Thurgood, Harding, Oli, O'Connor, Griffiths (Rhodes 72).
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Smith, Bodkin.

Booked: Stuart, Thurgood.

Att: 1834.

Ref: M Mullarkey (Surrey).

Fans Man of The Match: Knowles