The Road to Cardiff starts for The Saints at Clarence Park today where we have avoided the minnows and been drawn against fellow Premier Division Grays Athletic. Like City, Grays have had an indifferent start to the season but, like City, recent results suggest that they are beginning to find form.
Disappointing news from the changing room is that attacking midfielder Mark Graham who has made a big impact this season, has left the Club to play 'full-time' for Hornchurch. Good luck to him from me.
For today, Cookie selected White in goal, 4 at the back: Gledhill, De Souza, Seeby and Murray, 4 in the middle: Williams, Wraight (C), Castle and Oakes, and up front: McDonnell and Tomlinson. On the bench: Brown, Martin, Cross, Cogger and Hanson.
Oh dear. This was not good at all. Six goals but poor football.
Stats and facts first. Grays scored early after Saints were dispossessed in the centre circle, Carthy took it on and hit a fierce shot from 25 yards which gave White no chance. 0-1. Midway through the half, McDonnell was bundled off the ball by the visiting keeper and Tomlinson scored from the spot. 1-1. A few minutes before the break Grays re-took the lead when their two strikers both beat the offside trap (how can that happen?) and Eastwood scored just inside White's near post. 1-2. City equalised with the goal of the game, a 20 yard measured lob from Oakes after quick interplay across the pitch. 2-2. H.T.
Saints enjoyed their best spell of the game for 10 minutes after the break pressing the visitors defence. Williams hit the bar and moments later, McDonnell forced a reaction save from point blank range. Midway through the half, another defensive error by City on half-way and Griffiths and Eastwood exchanged passes for the latter to score. 2-3.
Cookie bought on Brown for De Souza, Martin for Williams and, shortly after, Cross for Castle and pressed for an equaliser. 5 minutes from time, everyone was up for a City corner which was cleared and 2 Saints defenders were faced with a wave of 5 Grays players coming across the half-way line in possession. Thurgood applied the finishing touch. 2-4. F.T.
Grays are a quick, fit side, very good in attack, although to me, the defence looked a little suspect. They were 'gifted goals today by the home defence which has looked so solid over the last few games. City were poor. In attack, we reverted to the long ball game and while McDonnell in particular chased lost causes all day, that is not his natural style of play. The side looks very different without Graham. A very disappointing afternoon for all associated with The Saints who, for the 97th consecutive season have failed to win the F.A. Cup.
The crowd was 420 with some 100 or more up from Essex. The sponsor did not make a MotM award and neither will I.
Entertainment 4/10. Technical Merit 3/10. Referee 6?10. Atmosphere 5/10. |