Grays Athletic 2, Brightlingsea Regent 0

GRAYS did what they had to do today (Saturday, 4 April) when a goal in each half gave them an important win against visiting Regent to keep from dropping into the Isthmian North relegation zone.

At one point in the afternoon that looked an even better result as Tilbury sere ahead at relegation rivals Lowestoft, but the Seasideres eventually picked up their own important win.

Grays will have the opportunity to inflict retribution on Dockers for not holding on, when the two borough teams meet in Monday's El Chavico at Chadfields!

Today's win for Grays was particularly welcome after disappointment on the previous two weekends' travels and will be a fillip for Monday's derby at the EMR Stadium against their landlords. 

With Kye Jude returning in the back line alongside Jordan Clark, Sid Walker was able to push into midfield to partner Oscar Shelvey, giving the whole side a better, more combative balance. Perhaps though the key feature of the afternoon was the strong wind blowing straight down the pitch that Grays probably mastered the better in the key moments.

For once, Blues started firmly on the front foot. Gabriel Chapps fired a free kick over the bar and Ned Hepburn's cross just evaded Sam Wade at the far post. Jordan Clark then cleverly found Hepburn who broke into the box but Regent's keeper Luke Avenell was alive to clear the shot with his legs.

But before long Grays' pressure told. Tom Cottle-Woods downed Wade 30 yards out and Hepburn's lovely free kick found Chapps in space inside the box. He was allowed to turn and slotted his shot home to give Blues a deserved 1-0 lead.

Sid Walker could have extended the lead but headed wide before at the other end, Matthew Tricker spooned the ball over the bar from close range when sliding in to meet Finlay Adams' free kick.

Guy Norton then went on a fine run from the half-way line into the box and he squared for Chapps but the ball took a nasty bobble, making the shot impossible to control.

Grays came out for the second half determined to hold onto their lead. At the back, both Kye Jude and Jordan Clark put in excellent shifts, dealing well with the high swirling balls and giving the visitors' attack little room for manoeuvre.

After his sighter at the start of the first half, Chapps went closer early in the second with a free kick from an identical spot. 

For the visitors, Charlie Durling tried his luck from distance and Daniel Rowe also had a go, but in truth there was little to concern George Marsh all afternoon. He won't have many easier 90 minutes.

The game became mired in a midfield scenario of head-tennis which suited the Blues and although Brightlingsea started to see more of the ball in the Grays half, the home defence held firm, not allowing the visitors any clear sight of goal.

With Blues' fans getting ever more edgy as time wore on, their side finally put the game to bed with five minutes of normal time remaining. Oscar Shelvey picked up the ball midway in the opposition half and fed Ned Hepburn who cut in from the left and fired past Avenell to make it 2-0 to Grays and secure a vital three points.

Grays Ath : Marsh, Brampton (61, Tawiah), Norton, Walker, Clark, Jude, Hepburn, Shelvey, Chapps, Stimson, Wade. Subs not used : Remy-Dee, Martin, Ogunrinde, Hahn.