Grays Athletic 0, Gorleston 0

JUST a point separated Grays and Gorleston in the Isthmian North going into Saturday's match (15 February) so the odds were that a tight game was in store, and so it proved.

Despite the goalless outcome the teams served up an entertaining afternoon for both sets of supporters.

Once again Grays were weakened by injuries and player unavailability, but newly signed Harry Hope and Kye Jude both made impressive debuts, Jude adding steel to the back line and Hope combative skills in midfield.

Central defender Jude joined Blues from Basildon United. He has previously spent time at Witham and captained Basildon for the last few seasons. Forward Hope was previously at Canvey Island and has had past spells at Tilbury, East Thurrock and Sittingbourne.

The afternoon though was marred by what initially looked like a nasty injury to Quba Gordon who was stretchered off in the second half adding to Darren Manning injury list.

Grays made a fast start to the half when Shane Temple finished off a smart move but his effort slid across the goal and past the far post. Just four minutes in man of the match Elliot Sartorious had the first of many sights on goal firing just over from 18 yards.

It was now Grays dominating possession, a scramble in the Gorleston six yard box saw the ball cleared to Louie Remi, his rising shot acrobatically pushed away by Antoni Bort .

Blues playing a high tempo looked menacing going forward. On 18 minutes an intricate passage of play saw Aron Gordon with a chance but he elected to pass rather than shoot and the opportunity was lost. Tyler Brampton was next to try his luck from distance.

In the opening period Gorleston were heavily employed defending their goal and it wasn't until the 32nd minute that they had their first chance when Harley Black broke clear, denied by the boot of Danny Sambridge. Two minutes later Ryan Curtis missed a golden opportunity to put them in front, with only Sambridge to beat his header from six yards struck the bar and dropped over.

The closing period now belonged to the visitors Grays visibly dropping the tempo but although bossing possession the visitors failed to test Sambridge.

Gorleston started the half as they ended the first threatening the Grays but goal without success, it was Grays though who had the first chance, squandered by Shane Temple with a weak header.

With both sides cancelling each other out the game ebbed and flowed chances falling at either end. On the hour mark the industrious Sartorius brought a flying save from Bort pushing the ball away to safety.

A lull in proceedings was brightened in the 69th minute when Sartorius's dipping strike forced Bort to turn the ball over at full stretch. Then following a Grays corner Gordon went down heavily, limping away he was involved again seconds later leaping to nod the ball away, landing heavily again, but this time he lay in agony and after lengthy treatment was stretchered off.

The closing period saw both teams looking to make a breakthrough, Curtis tested Sambridge. with two minutes of normal time remaining Curtis again had an opening. Gordon then embarked on a weaving run to the edge of the box but blasted wildly over.

Ten minutes of injury time ensued but neither side could grab a winning goal.

At the final whistle a share of the points was probably the right outcome in an entertaining game played in the right spirit.

Grays are back in action on Tuesday at home to in form Brightlingsea, another tough test but they will boosted by the return of four regulars.

Darren Manning's post match verdict:-