Grays Athletic 2, New Salamis 4

GRAYS' hopes of avenging an early season FA Cup defeat at the hand's of Saturday's Isthmian North opponents were dashed in the space of the first half at Stilbury on Saturday (14 October).

Once again they came up against the Nemesis that is veteran striker Derek Asamoah who grabbed three goals before the break. They added to the two he got in the 3-1 FA Cup replay win against Blues in August.

His first came after just ten minutes when Grays failed to clear their lines and allowed Asamoah the time and space to pick his spot. Which he did with alacrity, giving Danny Smabridge no chance of making a save.

At that point Grays rallied and got back on level terms in the 18th minute after a period of sustained pressure saw New Salamis eventually wilt and Rob Clark found the back of the net, albeit courtesy of a deflection.

But it was a moment that flattered to deceive.

The visitors quickly regained the initiative and Sambridge was exposed as the home defence parted to allow Asamoah through. The keeper did his best but brought the striker down and in some minds was lucky to stay on the pitch – and though he did, he had no answer to Asamoah's strike from the spot which restored the lead on 25 minutes.

Five minutes later things got worse when a speculative ball behind the defence found Grays wanting and Wraynell Hercules latched on to it and he finished well.

It was all New Salamis at this point and they might well have added more, but for some profligate finishing and the woodwork, which denied Asamoah.

However, just before the break he completed his hat-trick with a clever finish, flicking the ball over his head.

Grays fans were glad of the interval and the general consensus was a woeful Blues were lucky just to have conceded four.

There was hope just three minutes after the restart when Clark's shot found the net – though there was much discussion between officials before the goal was awarded, with the position of Grays striker Sam Bantick the topic of debate. Eventually it was ruled that though he was in an offside position, he had not interfered with play.

With the lead reduced, Grays began to lift their game and might well have got within one goal but, after Andrew Tayaca brought Bantick down in the box the striker picked himself, only to waste the opportunity by firing the subsequent penalty wide.

After that the match petered out, with hope and confidence ebbing quickly away from the Grays players who eventually left the pitch to find themselves second from bottom.

Albeit only four league matches have gone, but there is growing concern about the prospects for the rest of the season.

Manager Mark Stimson has already chopped and changed his squad several times during a traumatic beginning to the campaign. The Blues have yet to win a match after 11 competitive fixtures!

It's a long way away, but Grays may yet be glad of the demise of East Thurrock United and the restructuring at Step Four and Five level which means only one side is likely to be automatically relegated next spring.

Blues will face a test of their bouncebackability when they travel to face fourth-placed Walthamstow at the weekend.