City produced a real smash and grab raid on league leaders Grays Athletic to take maximum points and instantly atone for the midweek reverse against Lewes.

With the suspension of Craig Pope and injury to midfield playmaker, Richard Scott, Manager, Gary Roberts was forced to make changes. Alex Fiddes was given his first league start since joining from Redbridge and winger Carl Williams was called on to fill in a full-back. Robbie Simpson moved out wide to cover for Williams and Jon Stevenson slotted in up front.

After the initial early few minutes of jousting, it was the home side that registered the first meaningful effort on goal. Former Arsenal trainee, Leroy Griffiths showed great tenacity to make a chance from nothing as he made space on the edge of the area to fire in a firmly struck shot that Duncan Roberts could only block, Carl Williams completed the clearance.

Alex Fiddes looks to set up a City attack

Grays were to the fore again soon after as fleet footed winger, Mitch Cole, got away from Williams before centring a low cross that was poked wide of the upright by former Cambridge Utd man, Denis Oli.

The benefits of full-time training were clear to see as Grays controlled proceedings as their crisp passing prevented City from making a real impact as an attacking force.

After 15 minutes, John Nutter’s throw-in found Griffiths who instantly lifted the ball over his own head an into the path of John Martin who had scampered in behind Matt Langston, the ex Hornchurch midfielder produced a snapshot that Roberts did well to turn behind. The pressure wasn’t about to let up and minutes later Cole saw his free-kick only partially repelled, Martin picking up the loose ball to whip a cross in that was narrowly missed by Steve West as he leapt high, the ball striking a surprised Lee Summerscales and bouncing dangerously in the six yard area before Glenn Fuff popped up to boot it away.

Grays came again and City had Roberts to thank for maintaining the staus quo. The keeper’s goalkick was picked up by Dean Brennan, he lobbed the ball into the ever willing Griffiths who crossed for Brennan, surging into the area, to sidefoot a shot that Roberts got down well to push round the post.

Griffiths hooked pass over his shoulder sent Cole sprinting into space on 25 minutes. The wide man made good ground before whacking in a low cross that Martin diverted goalwards. Langston blocked the midfielders effort but the ball ran kindly and gave him a second bite at the cherry, however, Summerscales was in the right place at the right time to clear Martin’s follow up effort.

Langston produced a superb block to deny Martin as he was set up on the edge of the area by Oli before a Fuff handball gave Brennan a chance to strike from a deadball situation, his curling shot flying over the bar via a slight deflection. From the resulting corner Roberts only succeeded in palming the ball to Martin who headed goalwards, fortunately for City, Alex Fiddes was on hand to clear off the line.

Having been pretty much under the cosh since the opening minutes, City finally made their mark just before the half hour. Dale Binns played a neat one-two with Jon Stevenson before the former was unceremoniously blocked by Joe Bruce. Stevenson produced the visitors first effort on goal as he curled the free-kick a foot over the bar.

Matt Langston shows Grays' Steve West some aerial power

Nutter saw his free-kick spilt by Roberts before City punished their hosts for failing to capitalise on their superiority. Williams long throw up the line was flicked on to Stevenson by Sadler, the striker cut inside and layed a sliderule pass into Binns who had sneaked in on the blind side. With the home defence vainly appealing for offside, the former Hendon man slammed a low shot beneath Ashley Bayes in the home goal.

The goal clearly took the wind out of Grays’ sails and City began to get a foothold in the match. Fiddes’ long pass up the line presented Binns with a straight race with Bruce, one he was always going to win, and despite the defenders best efforts to foul him, he produced a great cross that Jamie Stuart, in attempting to clear, smashed straight at Bayes who knew nothing as the ball cannoned off his body and behind. From the corner, Dave Sadler headed wide.

Grays were soon on the offensive following the break with Oli going close to pulling the home side level. After breaking free of the attentions of Langston the lanky midfield man burst into the area, Summerscales got across and slowed his progress but he managed to wriggle free and it was only the alertness of Roberts, charging off his line to block that saved the day. City responded minutes later as Binns picked up the ball in centre field, took on and beat three players before striking goalwards, however, his shot lacked power and Bayes gathered comfortably.

Substitute, Vill Powell, on for the injured Oli, headed Cole’s corner kick wide of the near-post and then West headed over as the home side began to turn up the pressure again. Sadler sent a speculative 30 yard drive over the bar before that pressure finally told and presented Grays with a way back into the game. A long punt upfield was flicked on by Powell, Griffiths latched onto it and then went down in the area under challenge from Summerscales, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Brennan to crack a well struck shot to Roberts right, but the big stopper pulled off a superb full length save to maintain City’s advantage.

Just as City had punished their hosts in the first half for failing to take their opportunities, they did so again as they went straight up the other end and doubled their tally. Only sixty seconds had elapsed since the penalty save as Williams robbed West inside the centre circle, making his way forward he picked out Sadler with an inch perfect pass. The strikers first touch took Steve Robinson out of the equation before expertly holding off Bruce and driving a close range shot past Bayes that gave him no chance.

Dale Binns leaves Denis Oli floored as he moves upfield

Ten minutes later, City came close to extending their lead still further as Summerscales superb 40 yard angled pass picked out the run of Sadler. The former Hinckley striker was pushed maybe a little too wide as the ball skidded off the surface but still tested Bayes with a rising drive.

With time running out, Grays manager, Mark Stimson, began to ring the changes, bringing on Gary Hooper and former City striker Tony Battersby for Cole and Nutter.

The period following the second goal had been the quietest of the game for City as they looked comfortable with their two goal cushion but that all changed with ten minutes left on the clock. Williams was rather harshly penalised for a shoulder charge on Griffiths just on the corner of the area. The free-kick was whipped into the danger area and Summerscales, who appeared to lose his bearings a little, headed the ball back into the six yard area where Gary Hooper was on hand to poke home from close range.

Suddenly it was all hands to the pump for City as Grays, with the scent of an equaliser in their nostrils, threw everything at their visitors. Battersby saw his goalbound shot cleared off the line by Langston and West had a goal disallowed for pushing as he headed home a Hooper corner. Bruce then saw a shot ricochet off Powell and flash just wide of the post as Grays aerial bombardment threatened to overwhelm an already stretched City rearguard.

Griffiths wasted a very presentable chance as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Hooper showed great feet on the right to lose Binns and then thump a the ball across the face of goal, somehow it evaded at least two flailing boots before finding Griffiths at the far post but where well placed, he blazed wide. It was to be the final action of the afternoon, soon after, the final whistle sounded and brought to an end an enthralling ninety minutes of football that leaves City in a very healthy position going into the Christmas double header against lowly St Albans.