Play off hopes fade as Grays do the double

A pretty dire game between two teams with an extremely slim chance of making the Ryman Premier league play offs, ended with the away side taking home the three points and completing the double over Lewes, effectively ending their chances of making a late run for promotion.

The game was incredibly flat with both teams looking tired, something they better get used to with fixtures coming quick and fast. Lewes perhaps had the better chances of the early stages, despite losing the toss and being forced to face the sun for the first half. 

Luke Blewden had a chance after a witty run by Nick Wheeler saw Blewden through on goal before the Grays impressive number four salmon dived at the ball on the floor to put Blewden off his stride. 

It was Blewden again, guilty of wasting chances when, this time Brinkhurst fed him the ball on the right hand side, only for Blewden to nearly smash the ball out of the ground from a tight angle. Both teams were persistent in trying a long ball game, Lewes in particular having a tough time with it, Blewden having to feed off scraps, playing up front on his own. 

Grays took the lead through their first meaningful attack when they played down the right hand side, beating Sam Gore and dinking the ball across the box, where it was met with a glancing header in to the bottom left hand corner, beyond Banks, by Joao Carlos. 

The goal briefly sparked some life in to Grays who then quickly won a corner, forcing Banks in to a diving save. The corner fell well for them and a back heeled attempt also forced another save from Banks, this time a bit more comfortable. 

No one had a particularly good game first half, but Jay Lovett was having a torrid time, summed up when Grays launched the ball forward from the back. The ball was heading straight to Banks, however Lovett felt the need to chest the ball beyond the Lewes keeper and out for a corner. 

Fans of both sides were probably hoping their team would come out with a bit more fight in them for the second half, however it wasn’t to be and for the first twenty minutes or so the game was at its worst point with nothing of note happening. 

The introduction of Jack Maloney, replacing the worn out Steve Brinkhurst woke Lewes up a bit. The Portsmouth loanee made some decent runs on the ball, looking very strong and skillful, giving an edge to Lewes’s game. However, not long after coming on, Maloney was booked for taking a tumble in the Grays penalty area, despite the fact that he got straight back up and did not appeal for a penalty at all. 

The best effort of the game came in the second half when left back Sam Gore saw the ball cleared after a corner, fall directly to him on the edge of the box. Gore hit the ball on the full volley, at first it looked as though the ball would go miles over, similar to a couple of efforts by Sam Crabb and Luke Blewden. The ball dipped right at the last minute, forcing the keeper to tip the ball over the bar, in a chance that would easily have been goal of the season. 

Lewes kicked on in the last ten minutes, but it was not enough. They were perhaps lucky not to see Jay Lovett sent off, after the referee ruled he had brought down a Grays player on the edge of the box who appeared to be through on goal. 

Despite a little bit of pressure on the Grays goal near the end of the game, there were no clear cut chances and Grays held on to win 1-0 and pick up three valuable away points. 

Lewes V Grays 08/03/14

For Lewes, March looked like it could shape up to be an extremely tough month. However two games in to the month and Lewes have taken on first placed Dulwich and beaten them 2-0, before then just  few days later taking on second placed Maidtsone and again securing the win, this time it was 1-0.

While Lewes will be feeling good about these two wins, they know that the month is far from over. They welcome Grays today who beat Lewes 4-2 just a week ago. They then have fixtures against Hornchurch (H), Lowestoft (A), Carshalton (A), Kingstonian (H), Wealdstone (H), and finally Thamesmead (A). That is games against four of the top five in one month, as well as a trip to Lowestoft who have been consistently in the play offs for the past few years, although it doesn't look like they will have any luck this year. 

Garry Wilson has always stressed that this year is a building season for the club, Lewes will try to finish as high as they can, building up to get ready for next seasons promotion push. However, although the chances are very slim, the recent couple of wins have proved that Lewes can beat anybody in this league and if they can continue this form, who knows, we might see a late charge for a play off place. 

To really still be in with a chance of a play off space, I would say that Lewes would need 15 points from the rest of March which really does not leave them much room for error. In Garry Wilson and Danny Bloor's interviews this year you can tell that they are two men who know exactly the direction that they want to take Lewes, which is great to see. 

Hornchurch are the team that Lewes would most likely catch, they are 9 points ahead but Lewes have a game in hand and also are playing Hornchurch at home in a game that they must win if they are to push for that spot. 

Interestingly Grays would catch up with Lewes on points if they won all of their games in hand. Therefore if Grays win today, they could overtake Lewes and perhaps push for a place themselves, although it seems unlikely they will win all of their games in hand and their fixture pile up will surely take its toll on results. Their lowly position of 17th is deceiving as Lewes found out the other night when they travelled to Grays and lost the match 4-2. 

Hornchurch play at home to Thamesmead today, a game which really they should win so Lewes will most likely need to get a win over Grays in order to keep up the pressure. Grays have the chance to overtake Margate today if they can beat Lewes and Margate lose at home to Kingstonian. 

March really is going to be an exciting month!