United bruised by physical Grays (17.02.04)

UNITED were out-muscled by hard-working and highly physical Grays Athletic at York Road on Tuesday evening, although the 4-1 final scoreline flattered the Essex boys.
Having skimmed the crossbar on four minutes, pacy striker Lloyd Opara opened Grays’ account just four minutes later, after influential wideman Wes Daly dinked the ball into his path for a simple finish past Nick Hart.
For reasons unknown, Opara was withdrawn from the action on 17 minutes, but any sense of relief was quickly crushed, as his replacement Leroy Griffith proved every bit as pacy and just as dangerous.
Despite this, United battled their way back into the game and should have levelled proceedings on the half hour, when Craig Farley’s corner was handled by a Grays defender and the referee pointed straight to the spot.
Unfortunately, Mel Capleton pulled off a stunning low save to scoop Steve Hale’s reasonable penalty attempt over the bar.
A high tempo scrap then developed in midfield, with United battling for possession, while Grays hunted in packs to close down the man on the ball.
As a result, chances were few and far between, with neither keeper called upon to make another save before half-time.
Having been kicked to bits in the first half, United midfielder Martyn Lee was replaced by Rory Jenkins at the break, while Grays introduced Ellie Remy for Danny Hayzelden.
Despite the changes, the game continued in much the same vein after the restart until, on 67 minutes, Lawrence Yaku brought down a long goal kick and laid it off for strike partner Hale.
Hale slid the return ball through the defence for Yaku, who rammed the ball low and hard into the back of the net.
A 1-1 draw would have suited United, but Grays wanted all three points and quickly retook the lead, when a sweeping move involving Bradshaw and Griffith was ended with a fine finish from Martin Carthy at the far post.
The Magpies refused to let their heads drop and, with five minutes remaining, manager John Dreyer threw Phil Gray on behind the two strikers to add some extra bite to the attack.
Unfortunately, with United throwing men forward, Grays struck out on the counter and quickly made it 3-1, with substitute Ellis Remy sweeping home Leroy Griffith’s pin-point cross on 89 minutes.
Grays scored again in injury time, when the ball was lumped forward to the edge of United’s box.
Hart was caught in no-man’s land, allowing Remy to complete his brace with a simple looping header.
At this point, Dreyer headed for the changing rooms, leaving his players to face the final few minutes alone.

After the match manager John Dreyer said: “I was really disapointed.
“But they had a little bit too much for us up front in terms of power and pace.”