Grays Watch

[Guest]

Thought instead of updating my other Grays thread I'd start a dedicated one today. Grays beat Aldershot 2-1 with goals from Battersby and Poole to go second in the Conference.

It's early doors yet but it'd be nice to see them battle for promotion.

Unlike the Marsh Rats (who struggle to get over 1,000) they seem to have a growing support, too - 1,800 odd saw today's win.

 

[Guest]

Come on you Super Blues!!!

 

[Guest]

Grays Watch: Match 2

Grays took on perennial conference whipping boys Forest Green Rovers this evening. Dennis Oli put Grays in front on 18 minutes but they were pegged back five minutes later by a Wanless penalty. A power failure at half time delayed the second half by 30 minutes and the game seemed destined for a draw until ex-Shrimper Jamie Stuart won the game for Athletic right at the death, and send his team top of the conference, if only for 12 hours.

 

[Guest]

They are still top!! Come on you GRAYS!!

 

[Guest]

Grays were rescued today by a 90th minute own-goal by the Kidderminster 'keeper. Iyseden Christie (sorry can't spell his name) put the Harriers ahead just after the break. Hooper equalised soon after but Christie again restored Harrier's lead. It looked like they were on for a win until their keeper Daby chucked a corner into his own net...!

Exeter's 4-0 drubbing of Cambridge means the Grecians return to the top, while Grays drop to second, two points behind.

 

[Guest]

Come on you Super Blues!!!

 

[canveyshrimper]

I would like to see Grays progress, but is their ground up to football league standard?

 

[Guest]

Not to sure, but from what i have seen doest look worse than Barnets!!

 

[Guest]

I don't know if the Rec is up to league standard but the FL have made a rod for it's own back by allowing Barnet - whose ground is certainly not up to standard - back into the league provided they upgrade it in a couple of seasons.

IF (and it's a big if) Grays get promoted I expect them to be afforded the same luxury. In any case it's not too far off league standards - may need more seats though.

 

[Guest]

Seconded!

 

[Guest]

Grays unbeaten start continued today as they came away from Tamworth with a 2-2 draw. Jamie Stuart put them behind with an own goal but Dennis Oli soon pulled one back. Mansaram then restored Tamworth's advantage before Poole ensured Grays went away with a point.

Grays drop to third in the table.

 

[Guest]

well done Grays. Still unbeaten. Get in!

 

[RobM.]

Doesn't a club need a minimum capacity of 6,000 to gain league status?

 

[Guest]

Not to sure?

 

[RobM.]

there would be space at Blachshot's, there's already a rugby stadium of sorts there. You'd think planning permission would be simple to get...

 

[Guest]

Yup, the minimum reqiurement is a six-thousand capacity with a thousand seats (i think!).

Barnet's Underhill only has a 5,500 capacity - so why were they let back? The FL have set themselves an interesting precedent if one of the smaller teams was to win the conference or playoffs....

I heard that Grays have plans to bring the Recreation Ground up to league standard anyway

 

[Guest]

Last night Grays defeated Cambridge in a throughly entertaining game at the Rec. Jamie Slabber put Grays ahead early on, but Cambridge were soon level after a dubious free-kick decision on the edge of the Gray's penalty area led to a low equaliser. Grays then took over and three more saw them 4-1 up at the break. Slabber completed his hat-trick with a penalty after 50 minutes but the half belonged to Cambridge, who scored twice more, but the game ended 5-3 to Grays, with 1,543 in attendance

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

I think Barnet were given a little special dispensation, due to having been rejected previously, and having friends (Arsenal) in very high places.

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Shrimper2thecore @ Sep. 25 2005,23:30)]I think Barnet were given a little special dispensation, due to having been rejected previously, and having friends (Arsenal) in very high places.

There's an article about this very point in Grays' match programme from the Cambridge game. It states that the FL would indeed give them three season's grace to improve their ground. (and, tidy as it is, it does need a bit of improvement!)
I bet Stevenage are a bit pi$$ed off about this - I remember them getting rejected even though their ground was ready by the end of the season....

Continuing the watch:

Grays won 3-1 at Crawley and went top thanks to Exeter's shock home defeat to lowly Burton Albion. Crawley went a goal up after 12 but Grays were soon level and won the game thanks to two second half strikes from Dennis Oli.

 

[Guest]

Forgot to post this on Tuesday night and I've been away since.

Grays beat Dagenham and redbridge 2-1 with a late goal to extend their lead at the top of the table.... how much longer can they keep this up, I wonder!