GRAYS ATHLETIC SHRUGGED OFF THE heartbreak of elimination from the Nationwide Conference play-offs four days previously to retain the FA Trophy with a stylish victory against Woking at Upton Park, the home of West Ham United, yesterday.

Two goals late in the first half, from Dennis Oli and Glenn Poole, ensured that the trophy, which Grays won 12 months ago after defeating Hucknall Town at Villa Park, remained at their New Recreation Ground home.

According to Mark Stimson, the manager, all it took to raise his players’ spirits was a trip to Upton Park on Friday. “When they saw the stadium and the lovely playing surface, you could see that they could not wait to get out there and play,” he said. “We showed great character after this week’s disappointment, but then I would expect nothing less from this side.

“It was a great feat to win the trophy 12 months ago, but to do it again was a massive achievement. Everyone wants to beat you when you are the holders. After the season we have had, I told my players before the match that we deserved to win the trophy, but that counts for nothing. We had to go out and win it on the pitch.”

In an intriguing clash of styles between Grays’ slick pass-and-move approach that is so pleasing to the eye and Woking’s direct and muscular tactics, it was the team from Essex who proved to be the more effective. With Stuart Thurgood pulling the strings from the centre of the park and Michael Kightly and Poole raiding from the flanks, the Woking rearguard endured a torrid afternoon and the only surprise was that they managed to hold out until close to half-time.

Aaron McLean dragged a shot across the face of the goal after outpacing Tom Hutchinson, a chipped shot from the edge of the area from John Martin eluded Shwan Jalal, the goalkeeper, but landed on the roof of the net and strikes on target from Thurgood and Oli were deflected wide with Jalal struggling.

Just when it appeared that Grays would pay for their profligacy, the deadlock was broken. Kightly dispossessed Gary McDonald, the Woking full back, deep inside his own half, advanced 60 yards unimpeded before slipping the ball into the path of Oli, whose toe-poke took the ball past the advancing Jalal.

Woking’s disappointment turned to dismay three minutes later when Thurgood carved open a shaky defence. Kightly was first to the midfield player’s insightful chip, his touch beating Jalal, and calls for a penalty after Hutchinson hauled him to the ground were curtailed as Poole calmly headed the ball into an unguarded net.

“I thought that we dominated the first half and it would have been a disaster if we had gone in at half-time at 0-0,” Kightly said. “I thought that we were going to score every time we attacked in the first half, but the longer it is scoreless you do get worried.”

With the half-time admonishment of Glenn Cockerill, the manager, still ringing in their ears, Woking strove to regain a foothold. But, despite an improved tempo, Grays were always in control and, aside from a brace of efforts from Justin Richards that were well saved by Ashley Bayes, the best chances continued to fall the way of the Essex club.

Thurgood cracked a curling drive against the upright, John Martin glanced a header wide with the goal gaping and Oli shot weakly at Jalal when clear.

“We never got going in the first half,” Cockerill said. “As poor as we were, I would have liked to see some more organisation, but Grays kept the ball better than we did and on the day the better side won.”

After a debut season in the Nationwide Conference in which Grays have illuminated the league with their adventurous brand of football, it is fitting that they end with some reward. But bigger clubs are already coveting their players and manager.

“I think that after such a good season, and a good performance today, it should cost me some of my players,” Stimson said. “I have several players that deserve to be playing at a higher level and if a good offer from a [Football League] club came in, I would not stand in their way.”

Grays Athletic (4-4-2): A Bayes — A Sambrook, J Stuart, C Hampton, J Nutter — G Poole, J Martin, S Thurgood, M Kightly (sub: T Williamson, 90min) — A McLean, D Oli. Substitutes not used: G Hooper, N Eyre, A Olayinka, C Moore.

Woking (4-4-2): S Jalal — S Jackson, S Nethercott (sub: P Watson, 60), G McDonald, T Hutchinson — S Ferguson, N Smith (sub: L Cockerill, 60), S Evans (sub: L Blackman, 83), K Murray — C McAllister, J Richards. Substitutes not used: C Davis, K El-Salahi.

Booked: Watson

Referee: H Webb

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