Grays Athletic 1, Felixstowe & Walton 0

GRAYS continued their remarkable end of season Isthmian North run that now included eight successive victories.

Post-match talk among Grays supporters was probably all about 'what if' as Blues' recent performances have seen them charge up the table and gather some impressive, promotion-chasing scalps.

Felixstowe are among them and though the Seasiders left Chadfields bemoaning the pitch, describing it as 'concrete' that made that 'made any passing football impossible to play', that will cut little ice with Blues followers.

Felixstowe & Walton arrived at the EMR stadium on Saturday (12 April) as the division's second highest scorers, averaging more than two goals a game, failing to score in only three previous league encounters this season. 

However, this Grays side is on a fine run of form, taking each match in its stride. The back line of Kenedi Dariri, Matas Skarna, Alex Moss and Kye Jude (with Michael Finneran a half time sub for the latter) produced an excellent collective performance, ably supported by a combative midfield, to shut out the Seasiders and record the Blues' incredible eighth consecutive victory. 

Only Macclesfield - runaway champions of the Northern Premier League - can boast better current form across the entire pyramid !

Having said that, the visitors made a decent start and Cameron Forde-Brown shot over early on, while Willie Clemons saw his close range effort saved by Danny Sambridge - whose departure at the end of the season was confirmed in midweek.

Grays gradually assumed control though and took the lead on 27 minutes when Aron Gordon sprayed a pinpoint long crossfield pass to Louie Remi. He brought the ball down skillfully, jinked past full back Thomas Warren and shot past keeper Harry Wright into the far corner.

Soon after he could have added another but his effort curled wide. 

Forde-Brown attempted a free kick that was saved and Felixstowe's best chance of the game came just before the break when a corner caused alarm in the Grays box. The ball fell to Toby Stevenson but his close-range shot was held on the line by Danny Sambridge.

Felixstowe made four substitutions early in the second half, which was delayed due to an injury to the referee, requiring a reserve official to be found, as they tried to change the game but they failed to create clear cut chances, Stevenson coming closest to an equaliser as he headed just wide. 

Grays were happy to soak up the pressure Felixstowe could muster.

And when a chance did come it was for Blues, 20 minutes into the half, when Sam Bantick produced an inswinging corner that Oliver Caley Brown cleared off the line before Remi forced another good fingertip save from Wright.

Indeed, in the final minutes of the game, it was the visitors' keeper who was much the busier, firstly making a fine save with his feet when faced one-on-one with sub Shane Temple and then, in added time, parrying out an Elliott Sartorius rocket shot before recovering to tip the ball over the bar after a defensive mix-up from the rebound.

But the one goal was to prove enough and Grays will now look to stretch their amazing run to nine when they go Redbridge on Saturday (19 April), followed by the derby with landlords Tilbury on Easter Monday. 

Grays Ath : Sambridge, Dariri, Skarna, Machado, Moss, Jude (46, Finneran), Gordon (61, Temple), Walker, Bantick (85, Hope), Sartorius, Remi.

Subs not used : Brampton, Hirst.