Workmanlike Grays bag three more points

Winter in the Ryman league is always going to be a leveller, so Waltham Forest, on a run of four games without a defeat, against an un-changed Athletic on a run of good form should have been a feast of good football but ended as a midfield tussle with both teams looking to score on the break.

The Blues were quickest from the off with John Docker, once again, working hard to make things happen.

Within four minutes a cross from Docker found Si Thomas in the box but his shot was blocked by Ben Sonuga, the ball ran loose and shots from Alex Osborn and Dean Pennant were blocked on the line.

Eventually the ball went out for a goal kick.

The Forest midfield worked hard on a bobbly pitch to push their team forward and were on top for the early exchanges.

Junior Luke's shot went wide when clear and the pressure almost told when Ian Luck found himself clear of the defence for his shot to go high over the bar.

Slowly Docker and Pennant got control, and with Marvin Samuel blocking well, the chances came to Grays. Docker put Osborn through and his shot looked goal bound but Jason Willis, the Forest keeper, deflected the ball, Si Thomas' shot was blocked on the line and Osborn's follow up was held by Willis. Docker was beginning to boss the midfield and his corners and free-kicks were beginning to find holes in the Waltham defence. His corner found Samuel free but his header went over.

A freekick found Junior Baker in the box but his header hit the bar.

A cross found Si Thomas but his deflected shot went straight to Willis.

It was only going to be a matter of time before Grays' pressure was going to tell. With the clock running down to half time, a Pennant interception was hit long to find Osborn free of the defence to round the keeper and rifle the ball into the net, to put Grays, deservedly, in front at the whistle.

The second half started with both teams struggling to keep hold of the ball on a very heavy pitch following a rain shower.

A slightly niggly half continued with both teams penalised for late tackles, pushing and shirt pulling. The football for the majority of the half was very patchy with neither team managing to get into their rhythm. Both midfields were looking to hit on the break and the pace of the Forest forwards troubled the Grays defence with Baker and Bunce making un-characteristic mistakes.

Docker, Pennant and Steve Demetriou tried to spread the ball wide but the Waltham defence read the passes well and kept the Blues at bay.

A good move by Waltham's Luke Stanley put Ian Luck clear but his speculative shot was well held by Steve Northwood, in the Blues goal.

It was obvious to those watching that it would take a good move to add to the scoring, and that came from the away side. Osborn moved out to the right to give Grays extra width. Docker found Alex clear and his shot/ cross hit the cross-bar.

Then came the move of the match. Samuel took the ball from the feet of Waltham's Luke, a quick pass out to the right to Osborn, his pace took him past Manny Sacky to cross to find Si Thomas and Pennant running in.

A snap shot from Pennant hit the back of the net to double the Blues score and take the points with 15 minutes to go.

A copy-cat pass to Osborn almost resulting in Si Thomas adding to the score but some fast closing down play by the home defence stopped the break. Two late subs for Grays saw Fontaine and Aiken come on for Docker and Si Thomas could not add any further incidents to the match and the whistle blew to make it three wins out of four for an improving Blues team, and a move up to 12th in the league.

Grays Athletic :- Steve Northwood, Brad Thomas, Eljay Worrell, Junior Baker, Danny Bunce, Dean Pennant, Marvin Samuel, John Docker (Fontaine 85), Steve Demetriou, Si Thomas (Aiken 85), Alex Osborn Waltham Forest :- Jason Willis, Manny Sacky, Luke Hornsley, Lukman Mojeed, Gbenga Sonuga, Michael Filletti, Junior Luke, Luke Stanley, Joel Palmer, Ian Luck, Billy Healey