Grays Athletic 2, Maldon & Tiptree 0

GRAYS picked up a first win of the league season to leave them handily placed in the Isthmian North with four points from their first two matches – while visitors Maldon & Tiptree, usually favourites for early season success - sit rock bottom with no points and no goals from their first two matches, having been beaten at home by Tilbury on Saturday.

As on Saturday, Maldon will feel a little aggrieved with the result, particularly having had a first half goal somewhat controversially ruled out.

The early stages of the match belonged to Grays – and particularly Aron Gordon who looked a real livewire as he teased and tormented Maldon's defensive left flank.

He was only denied by a good save at his near post by Jammers' keeper Tom Middlehurst after a mazy run and low, hard hit shot.

At the other end Grays keeper Danny Sambridge pulled off an equally fine reflex save as Maldon pressed briefly and crowded out a flat-footed home defence.

The visitors then thought they had scored when more confusion in the home defence ended with the ball in the back of Grays' net after a ball was played back into a crowded penalty area but through the 'goal' was initially awarded by referee Calum Dorling in the absence of a flag from his assistant Daniel Ripton, pressure from home players led to a consultation between officials and the effort was eventually ruled out.

It was no surprise though when Grays did take the lead on 34 minutes when Courtney Homans race through and clipped a shot past Middlehurst.

It was pretty much 'even-Steven' for the rest of the first but Grays took the lead into the break.

Whatever was said in both dressing rooms in the interval appeared to have the most effect on Maldon, who came out fired up and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck for the opening 20 minutes of the second half, which saw Grays largely fighting a rear guard action.

But the Jammers, despite pently of effort, lacked the guile to force the way through a hard-working defence and the points were sealed for the home side on 70 minutes when more good work by the effervescent  Gordon led to Grays substitute Correy Davidson scoring just a minute after he had been introduced.

With the points in the bag, Grays' thoughts now turn to the FA Cup. This weekend the Blues travel to Spartan South Midlands League Division One Stotfold in the Preliminary Round.

A win will net Grays £1,444 and a place in the next round where they will pick up at least £750 so the importance of the fixture , even at this early point in the season, cannot be understated.