Grays Athletic

Grays Ath 1-1 Hucknall Town (aet)
Grays Athletic win 6-5 on penalties Both teams were extremely competitive Grays Athletic won a penalty shoot-out to lift the FA Trophy after a keenly-contested final at Villa Park. Keeper Ashley Bayes was the hero for Grays, saving two penalties. John Martin had put Grays ahead from 20 yards before Hucknall keeper Greg Smith made two brilliant saves to deny Dennis Oli and Stuart Thurgood. Danny Bacon was credited with Hucknall's equaliser, although Dean Brennan appeared to get the final touch to Gary Ricketts' low drilled cross. Hucknall keeper Greg Smith had won the Man of the Match award but it was Bayes who shined in the shoot-out. It was a dramatic end to an entertaining contest, Grays winning 6-5 after the spot kicks had gone to sudden death. Grays went into the final as comfortable favourites and duly completed a memorable double after winning the Conference South. But Hucknall proved to be stubborn opposition despite the early loss of experienced player-manager Dean Barrick, who was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg on 27 minutes after a challenge with Gary Hooper. And it could have got worse for Hucknall shortly afterwards but Hooper could not keep his volley on target after a neat one-two opened up Town's defence. Martin had earlier showed great control to bring the ball down on his chest before striking goalwards and forcing Greg Smith into action. But underdogs Hucknall rallied before the break, creating two promising positions only to be let down by disappointing crosses from Andy Todd and Roy Hunter. Todd came close for Hucknall after the break but could not keep his short-range header on target. And the match swung in Grays' favour when Martin struck, the goal the result of a long goal-kick forward that Hucknall failed to clear. The ball eventually dropped to former Leyton Orient player Martin, who slotted home from 20 yards. Grays took control of the game after taking the lead as their opposition started to tire. Only a fantastic one-handed save from Greg Smith prevented Oli from scoring with a dipping long-range strike. Greg Smith was in action again shortly afterwards, denying Thurgood - and his two saves proved crucial as Hucknall equalised soon afterwards. Ricketts drilled cross appeared to strike Brennan with Danny Bacon lurking and the ball flew into the roof of the Grays net. Greg Smith later saved from Mitchell Cole and in the final seconds of normal time Hunter almost snatched a dramatic win for Hucknall with a curling free-kick that missed by inches. Hooper went close for Grays in extra-time with a header but the match went to penalties. Despite a towering performance from Greg Smith throughout the match, it was Grays keeper Bayes who emerged jubilant after the penalty shoot-out. Former England schoolboy international Bayes saved from Roy Hunter and - decisively - from Russell Cooke when the spot kicks had moved to sudden death. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grays Athletic: Bayes, Brennan, Nutter, Stuart, Matthews, Thurgood, Oli, Hooper (Carthy 119), Battersby (West 60), Martin, Cole. Subs Not Used: Emberson, Powell, Bruce. Booked: Brennan. Goals: Martin 64. Hucknall: Greg Smith, Asher, Barrick (Plummer 28), Hunter, Timons, Cooke, Mark Smith (Ward 120), Palmer (Heathcote 90), Ricketts, Bacon, Todd. Subs Not Used: Winder, Lindley. Booked: Palmer, Ricketts, Todd. Goals: Bacon 77. Att: 8,116 Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Conference fixtures are announced
Cambridge United's first Conference game, following their relegation from the Football League, will be away at Forest Green Rovers on 13 August. Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers start life outside the League with a home game against Woking. Conference newcomers Altrincham, Grays and Southport have all been handed ties away from home on the opening day. Grays visit Burton Albion, Southport travel to Dagenham & Redbridge while Altrincham go to Stevenage Borough. All the Conference fixtures As is customary, Boxing Day features a number of "derbies" - such as York v Scarborough - with the return fixtures on 2 January. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Conference opening day fixtures (Saturday, 13 August): Accrington Stanley v Canvey Island Aldershot Town v Tamworth Burton Albion v Grays Athletic Dagenham & Redbridge v Southport Forest Green Rovers v Cambridge United Gravesend & Northfleet v Exeter City Hereford United v Scarborough Kidderminster Harriers v Woking Morecambe v Halifax Town Stevenage Borough v Altrincham York City v Crawley Town Tuesday, 16 August Altrincham v Accrington Stanley Cambridge United v Hereford United Canvey Island v Aldershot Town Crawley Town v Dagenham & Redbridge Exeter City v Kidderminster Harriers Grays Athletic v Gravesend & Northfleet Halifax Town v Burton Albion Scarborough v Morecambe Southport v York City Tamworth v Forest Green Rovers Woking v Stevenage Borough

Grays Athletic 6-1 Gravesend
John Martin struck a hat-trick as Grays maintained their unbeaten start. Martin steered home in the 33rd minute and Dennis Oli added another before half-time before Charlie MacDonald pulled one back in the 58th minute. Four minutes later Martin smashed Gary Hooper's pass home and when Fleet keeper Andy Kerr was sent off, Martin scored from the resultant penalty. Hooper then set up goals for Glenn Poole (88) and substitute Jamie Slabber in stoppage time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Matthews, Stuart, Nutter, Hooper, Thurgood, Martin (Brennan 86), Poole, Oli (Slabber 78), Battersby (Kightly 78). Subs Not Used: Eyre, Bruce. Booked: Stuart, Slabber. Goals: Martin 33, Oli 42, Martin 63, 72 pen, Poole 88, Slabber 90. Gravesend: Kerr, Gooding, Smith, McCarthy, Skinner (Glozier 68), Slatter, Bowry (Omoyinmi 45), Saunders, Jackson, MacDonald, Grant (Mott 70). Subs Not Used: Surey, Drury. Sent Off: Kerr (70). Booked: McCarthy. Goals: MacDonald 59. Att: 1,562. Ref: D McDermid (Hampshire).

Grays Athletic 1-1 York
Stuart Thurgood scored a last-minute penalty to earn Grays a draw. York goalkeeper Chris Porter made an early fingertip save to deny Gary Hooper and Martin and Dennis Oli also spurned chances for Grays. But the visitors scored after 69 minutes when substitute Andy Bishop netted from close range. However, York were denied as skipper Mark Hotte was sent off for bringing down Jamie Slabber - and Thurgood made no mistake from the spot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Stuart, Matthews, Nutter, Thurgood, Hooper (Slabber 59), Martin, Poole, Battersby (Kightly 78), Oli. Subs Not Used: Brennan, Eyre, Bruce. Booked: Stuart, Slabber. Goals: Thurgood 90 pen. York: Porter, Price, Hotte, McGurk, Peat, Donaldson, Convery, Panther, Dunning, Mansaram (Bishop 63), O'Neill (Merris 90). Subs Not Used: Stewart, Mallon, Afandjyev. Sent Off: Hotte (90). Booked: Hotte, Bishop. Goals: Bishop 69. Att: 1,272 Ref: D Phillips (West Midlands).

Stimson hails hard-working Grays
Grays boss Mark Stimson was a happy man after his side won 2-0 at pre-season Conference favourites Hereford. "The boys worked extremely hard, from the first minute to the 94th minute, and I think we got our rewards in the end," Stimson said. "It was a massive test for us, as some of my players haven't played at this level before, and definitely not with as many supporters in thr ground. "I asked them some questions, but it was a fantastic performance all round."

Slabber proves fitness with brace
Grays Athletic striker Jamie Slabber proved his fitness as he scored two goals in a 5-0 friendly win over Peterborough's reserves. The ex-Spurs forward, 20, has missed Grays' last two games with hip trouble. Bertie Brayley, who recently joined the Blues on non-contract terms, also pressed his claims for a permanent deal at the Recreation Ground with a goal. Aaron McLean and Lee Matthews also scored as Mark Stimson's unbeaten squad showed their strength in depth.

Dagenham 1-2 Grays Ath
Grays left it late to secure the victory that keeps them in top spot in the Conference. The visitors broke the deadlock when Stuart Thurgood drilled a right foot shot into the corner before the break. Dagenham levelled when Chris Moore swivelled before lashing in three minutes into the second half. But Stevland Angus' strike three minutes from time proved the difference as he bundled home the winner after a corner was not cleared. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dag & Red: Roberts, Foster , Uddin, Blackett, Vickers, Southam, Goodwin, Griffiths, Mackail-Smith, Kandol, Moore. Subs Not Used: Overland, Marwa, Benson, Francis, Kenny Clark. Booked: Goodwin, Vickers, Moore. Goals: Moore 48. Grays Athletic: Ayres, Nutter, Stuart (Matthews 51), Angus, Thurgood, Oli, McLean (Hooper 85), Mawer, Brennan, Poole (Brayley 72), Slabber. Subs Not Used: Bayes, Olayinka. Booked: McLean. Goals: Thurgood 37, Angus 87. Att: 2,017 Ref: M A Harris (England).

Cray boss relishes Grays Cup tie
Cray Wanderers manager Ian Jenkins is philosophical about being drawn against Conference side Grays Athletic in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. Jenkins told Sir Stanley: "You can't play a better English non-league side. "We can't expect too much out of it but we go there confident if we get a couple of wins before then. "A few of the lads are gutted as they wanted to reach the first round proper but if you're going to get anywhere you must play top teams, so I don't mind."

McEwan praises York performance
York boss Billy McEwan had mixed feelings after they conceded a late goal to lose 2-1 to Grays. "The result's disappointing, but the performance wasn't," he said. "The standard of football, on a very difficult pitch, was excellent, and I was pleased with all of the team, as the boys worked their socks off. "The build-up to our goal was fantastic - Joe O'Neill showed great technique. We've scored a lot of good goals this season, but that's up amongst them."

Stimson relieved with win at York
Grays Athletic boss Mark Stimson was pleased to end a run of five Conference games without a win by winning 2-1 at York to stay fourth in the table. "It was a hard three points against a good side," Stimson said. "York got off to a great start with Joe O'Neill's goal from 25 yards which I don't think Peter Schmeichel would have saved, let along Ashley Bayes! "But I can't ask any more than what the boys gave me - they competed very well and got the two goals."

Stimson frustrated by late defeat
Grays boss Mark Stimson was left frustrated by Halifax's late winner in his side's 2-1 defeat at The Shay. "To concede it so late is disappointing because before then we were tested but the defence did quite well up to that point," he told Sir stanley. "But you can't let the other team keep attacking even with us defending well. "For effort and enthusiasm I could not fault us but Halifax have not been beaten here this season and I think you can see why - they are a good side."

Grays Athletic 2-2 Woking
Justin Richards' late goal pegged back Grays Athletic and earned Woking a point at Kingfield. Richards had actually opened the scoring on 16 minutes, volleying home his 17th goal of the season from Craig McAllister's flicked header. But two first-half goals from Jamie Slabber and Aaron McLean looked to have decided the match in Grays' favour. However, seven minutes from time, Karl Murray crossed for Richards to grab his second goal and a share of the points. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grays Athletic: Eyre, Mawer (Sambrook 55), Stuart, Hanson, Nutter, Kightly, Thurgood, Martin, Poole, Slabber, McLean. Subs Not Used: Bayes, Hooper, Williamson, Olayinka. Booked: McLean. Goals: Slabber 20, McLean 22. Woking: Jalal, Smith (Blackman 79), Hutchinson, MacDonald, Nethercott (Jackson 90), Watson, Ferguson, Selley, Murray, Richards, McAllister. Subs Not Used: Davies, Oyedele, Buari. Booked: Ferguson, MacDonald, Richards. Goals: Richards 17, 83. Att: 1,256 Ref: G Ward (Kent)

Stimson would put promotion first
Grays Athletic manager Mark Stimson will not let go of the FA Trophy easily. But he admits that if it comes down to a straight choice between more glory in the Trophy and the prospect of promotion to the Football League, there can only be one winner. "The Trophy is fantastic, but the other prize is so much bigger. Being in the league is what I would class as being a true professional," Stimson told Sir Stanley. "That's not being disrespectful to the Conference because I think it's on a par with the next level, as has been proved over the past couple of years with teams like Carlisle and Doncaster. "But I would class the League as being full-time professional and the change for the players here financially would be unbelievable. "They would go from being paid for 40 weeks a year to 52 and that¿s a great incentive. "For a young squad we are doing extremely well and while the opportunity is there we have got to try and take it and really go for it." Grays have established themselves as serious play-off candidates in their first season of top-flight Conference football. Their form in the league has dipped slightly since Christmas but they remain just outside the top-five with the prospect of completing a meteoric rise up the non-league ladder. "Our aim was to stay in the league. Then with the start we had - not losing for the first 15 games - we set new targets, Stimson said. "We wanted to be in the top ten and qualify for next season¿s LDV Vans Trophy. "I still think that would be a great achievement but we have put ourselves in a great position. "We have worked extremely hard, but there is still a lot to do and hopefully we can carry that on to the end of the season." Stimson believes Hereford and Halifax will secure two of the play-off-berths, with half-a-dozen clubs, including his own, battling for the other two. As well as sustaining a promotion challenge, Grays have also mounted a determined defence of the FA Trophy they won for the first time last season. Marrying the twin targets has not been easy, given that the run to the semi-finals of the Trophy has taken in six games, including replays. A two-legged tie against Exeter City will add further to Grays' end-of-season workload and possibly leaving them to play 'catch-up' with their top-five rivals. Yet despite that, Stimson has been fully committed to another Trophy run and the possibility of a second successive cup and promotion double for the Essex men. He added: "When we were drawn away at Aldershot in our first round I was asked if we would be taking it seriously. "I said that we would remember the final (last season) at Aston Villa for the rest of our lives and we have taken great pride in trying to retain the Trophy. "Now we face a difficult game against Exeter. It's the hardest draw we could have had but after getting Aldershot, Kidderminster and Hereford away and then Dagenham we have not had an easy tie. "It's the hardest thing, to retain a trophy, because teams want to beat you, but we could be there again in a couple of games." Standing in their way is an Exeter side which, like Grays, started the season like a house on fire but are now scrambling for a Conference play-off slot. The former League club has home advantage in Saturday's first-leg, where Stimson will come up against Steve Perryman, Exeter¿s director of football. Perryman was club captain at Tottenham when Stimson was starting out as a White Hart Lane apprentice and the Grays boss still describes Perryman as a legend. One has to miss out now but should the Trophy fall by the wayside all is not lost, with Stimson revelling in his two-pronged attack on honours. "If at the start of the season someone had said that in mid-March we would be in the semi-finals of the Trophy and in our current league position I would have grabbed their hand off. "So would 18 or 19 other teams in the league. It's a great time for the club and everybody associated with it," he said.

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