Whatever happened in the playoff semi-final against high-flying AFC Sudbury, Lewis Dark’s Grays Athletic had delivered their ambition of remaining competitive in the league across the season. A place in the playoffs was the icing on the cake and all concerned should be very proud of everything they have achieved.
On semi-final night Blues matched their opponents across the pitch and without the intervention of referee Mr Wilmore, who knows what the outcome might have been.
Grays started brightly, knowing the pressure was all on their opponents to deliver a result. And in just the 8th minute, Callum Watts let fly a trademark long-range effort that home keeper, David Hughes did well to tip over the bar. Sudbury are packed with quality players in all departments and they set about their business of getting the ball wide and attacking with pace. But it was Blues that opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark. A Ronnie Winn header found star marksman Sam Bantick running through and he got his shot away quickly across the keeper and into the far corner for a 1-0 lead.
Sudbury were stung by conceding and tested the Grays defence, who were in resolute mood. And just after the half hour mark, the ball fell to recent recruit Reggie Lambe out on the left. He cut in and unleashed an unstoppable shot from distance that dipped under the bar even though keeper Danny Sambridge was barely off his line.
But Blues were no mood to give into the pressure and they hit straight back. A Bantick corner and then a second cross into the box wasn’t dealt with by the home defence and Lewis Clark was on hand to lash the ball home from close range and restore Grays’ lead.

Half time: AFC Sudbury 1 v 2 Grays Athletic

The second half was just seven minutes old when controversy reared its ugly head and Grays season was undone at a stroke. A deep cross into the Blues penalty area was met on the volley by Joshua Stokes inside the six-yard box. His ball back in struck the arm of Macauley Joynes, held down by his side (and in no unnatural position) with no clear move towards the ball. Was the ball goalbound? Was Sambridge on hand to keep it out anyway? But in an instant, referee Mr Wilmore brandished the red card and gave the penalty. Double jeopardy? The opinion from all quarters was that the decision was harsh at best, especially given the game and the circumstances.
Up stepped leading scorer Nnamdi Nwachuku and buried the penalty past Sambridge to equalise at 2-2.
Sudbury sensed their chance as Grays took their time to re-organise. Stokes hit the side netting and Joe Grimwood should have done better with a clear header. But even with 10 men Blues regained their shape and took the fight to the home side.
The killer blow came after 70 minutes. Marlon Agyakwa was adjudged to have brought down Lambe just outside the box and Reece Harris stepped up to curl his free kick round the wall and in for a 3-2 lead.
Blues continued to press. Aron Gordon ran with the ball, Roman Campbell won headers and Callum Watts chased in midfield. And a series of free kicks near the end gave the chance to get the ball into the danger area. But it was not to be and Grays bowed out with heads held high.
As throughout the season, the Blue turnout on the terraces was magnificent (and generous in defeat). On the pitch and in the dugout, every man gave their all and each has represented the club with real honour.
We go again next season, knowing that against all odds, success is possible.
Come on you Blues !
Final score: AFC Sudbury 3 v 2 Grays Athletic
Grays Ath: Sambridge, Joynes, R.Winn (G.Winn, 57), L.Clark, Leahy, Gordon, Watts, Bantick, Hahn (Stagg, 78), Campbell, Agyakwa (Osei-Bobie, 86)
Subs not used: Griek, Homans