Grays Atletic 1, Gorleston 3

GRAYS Athletic fans believe the footballing gods have turned their back on the Blues after another day of disappointment.

Before Saturday's (14 November) Isthmian North clash against the league leaders Gorleston Grays and their supporters paid tribute to the fallen in an act of remembrance featuring local members of the Royal British Legion.

The Last Post was played by Dave Honeywell.

The day had started with news of player-manager Lewis Clark being taken ill and a recurring hip issue to key defender Alex Moss. The Blues then lost captain Jordan Clark to injury midway through the first half, as well as being on the wrong end of another outrageous refereeing howler that led to an opposition goal.

Blues actually started on the front foot. Debutant Khristoper Oti, who has rejoined Grays for a second spell after starting the season with neighbours Concord Rangers (and playing against the Blues in a 2–2 draw in August, let fly in the first minute and then Connor Hogan had a chance at the back post from a Callum Burkey corner. But the opportunities went begging.

Gorleston slowly worked their way into the game, although their style of play was not the easiest on the eye. Zach Dronfield went close and a nice cross from Luke Johnson didn't find a finisher. But then controversy - challenging in midfield, Travis Cole climbed all over the top of Oti, impeding his jump for the ball and ending up looking like a runner in the 2.30 at Newton Abbott.

But somehow, referee Jerahl Hall inexplicably saw no foul. Officiating is no easy job but failing to make the straightforward decisions do the men in black no favours. And of course, Gorleston immediately worked the ball downfield and somehow, Aaron Bullent bundled the ball over the line from close range. Yes, the Blues defence has to be much much better but the opportunity for the chance should never have been.

That break put the wind in the Gorleston sails. Tyler Brampton headed out bravely from right under the bar before Bullent turned provider for Luke Johnson whose smart finish made it 2-0, with still 20 minutes of the half remaining. Things could have turned nasty for Blues.

But to Grays' credit, their heads didn't drop and the last couple of chances fell their way. Sam Wade created a chance for Oti, whose shot was blocked with the ball rebounding off Matt Price but wide of the goal. Wade himself then went on a fine run but lost his head when in shooting range and sent the ball well over the bar.

The second half saw the two sides exchange chances. Oti pulled the ball wide for Grays, and Johnson hit the side netting for the visitors. A Macca Joynes free kick found its way right across the box to Wade who again missed the chance. Bullent should then really have extended Gorleston's lead when lurking at the far post but he guided his header wide.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Blues dragged themselves back into the contest. Callum Burkey made good ground through the midfield and found Oti on the edge of the box. He swivelled and unleashed an unstoppable shot past keeper Antoni Bort.

Grays piled on the pressure but the Gorleston defence stood firm against a barrage of shots. But it really was all too little too late and the visitors rapped up the points late on when a long free kick found Travis Cole rising highest to head past Ayad Kazi to make it 3-1.

This was always going to be a tough assignment for Blues against high-flying opposition. Debutants Oti and Charlie Risk, who is stepping up into men's football after coming through Billericay's youth system, both performed well, as did several of the younger, less-experienced players but again there were too many errors across the park and periods of the game where Blues just weren't competitive.

There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to strengthen the squad which hopefully will bear fruit very soon.

Grays Ath : Kazi, Brampton, Joynes, Risk (70, Davis), J.Clark (28, Morritt), Hogan, Wade, Burkey, Oti, Kileba, M.Price (90, Osas). Sub not used : Aderibigbe.

Grays will be back in action on Tuesday (17 November) whe they travel to Newmarket Town for a Velocity Cup clash that was twice postponed at Chadfields and has now been switched by the Isthmian League to the Jockeys' ground.