Grays Athletic 2, Bowers & Pitsea 0

GRAYS Athletic produced by far their best performance of the season on Saturday, 28 February, to take all three points against the Isthmian North's most in-form team, who were made to look distinctly second-best.

This was what the Blues faithful had been looking for - determination, effort and a never-say-die approach. Then there was also the debut up front of Mitch Hahn recruit, Gabriel Chapps, who could barely have dreamed of a better first showing in a Blue shirt.

Before the match supporters stood in tribute during a minute's applause for long time club stalwart Peter Jackson, who passed away recently.

From the first whistle, Grays were in the faces of their promotion-chasing opponents. Ned Hepburn out wide left was tormenting his opposing right back, George Scales and put three crosses into the box before the game was five minutes old.

And yet it was Bowers that had the first clear chance of the afternoon, when Jamie Salmon hit the side netting when he probably should have done better.

After a few early misplaced passes, Grays' attacking-looking front line of Hepburn, Chapps, Sam Wade and Manny Ogunrinde were starting to work well together, with Chapps holding the ball up well and winning headers for others to run onto. And it was his long-range free kick that flattened Salmon, who caught the ball square in the face, requiring close attention from the trainer.

Former Blue, Michael Bareck, shot across the face of goal but that was a rare break from the Grays pressure.

Blues fans were beginning to worry that all their pressure would lead to nothing, especially when Ned Hepburn's cut into the box and shot was well saved by the outstretched foot of Bowers keeper, Joseph Whitney. But eventually the pressure told. From a quick corner routine, the ball was worked across the box to Chapps who finished smartly from close range to give Grays the lead, lifting the tension in the stands.

Hepburn was at it again just before the break, firstly bringing a flying save from Whitney and then just missing the far post with a curling shot.

Bowers certainly came out for the second half looking to make amends but Grays were possessed of a steely determination, determined to hold onto what they had, with new recruits Judah Tawiah and Connor Martin both putting in accomplished displays.

A Sid Walker free kick was headed goalwards by Oscar Shelvey, forcing Whitney to concede a corner and then a low cross from Hepburn was met first time by Jordan Clark but the ball went just wide of the post. Bowers should then really have been level, when Jonathan Evans rose highest to meet a cross but his header fell safely on the top of the net.

It was just past midway through the half when Grays effectively closed out the game. Jordan Clark went on a rumbustious run the length of the pitch, only stopped when he was bundled over in the box. The run exemplified Blues efforts across the afternoon. Chapps stepped up and fired home the penalty kick, to cap a fine debut and give Blues a 2-0 lead.

There were further half chances at both ends. Elton Tettey, just off the bench fired wide, Jamie Salmon headed over from a corner and Hepburn got on the end of a long George Marsh clearance but missed the target.

A few more performances like this will see Grays easing their way up the table to a position of comfort. That said, one swallow doesn't make a summer and Blues will need more of the same on Tuesday evening when they visit Witham Town, to prove that this is the new standard fans should expect.

Having said all that, this was a very encouraging three points that delighted the interim management team of Paul Joynes and Hahn. Paul was quick to praise Mitch and new first team coach Lewis Clark for getting their messages across to the players in a very short space of time. He also commented that the "man of the match" was the whole squad for a performance of courage and determination.

Grays Ath: Marsh, Tawiah, Martin, Stimson, Walker, Clark, Ogunrinde (86, Sartorius), Shelvey, Chapps (90+, Remy-Dee), Wade (69, Gordon), Hepburn (90+, Paxman). Sub not used : Norton.