Grays day for Burton

	Bishop's Stortford	v	Hucknall Town	1-2
	Grays Athletic	v	Burton Albion	5-0

When both managers are at a loss as how to sum up quite possibly their most important clash of the season, it’s likely to have been an extraordinary game.

Grays Athletic were expected to take a lead into the second leg of their FA Trophy semi-final, in partnership with Carlsberg, but to have pulverised Burton Albion 5-0 would have been beyond their wildest dreams.

On reflection, Nigel Clough's belief in his National Conference side may have cost him.

Rather than packing midfield and looking to stifle a side that has scored 151 goals in 49 games this season, Burton attempted to match Grays all over the pitch, and apart from a ten minute spell at the start of the second half, were always chasing shadows.

"Defensively we’ve been strong of late," said a shell-shocked Clough afterwards, "And we hadn’t conceded a goal in the Trophy this season. But every time they went forward they looked like they’d score.

"Conceding two in the first 15 minutes was a killer. And when seven or eight of your players don’t turn up for the semi-final of a major competition, what can you expect but this sort of result?"

Grays manager Mark Stimson also seemed a touch nonplussed at interview, but maybe this shaven haired warrior who clearly relishes the heat of battle was just astonished at the ease with which his young charges cut down durable Conference opposition.

"I’d have been happy to have been on terms at the end of the first leg," he admitted. "We had a plan – to attack them from the start. I told the boys to be patient, but it didn’t work out like that."

There was no gloating, no punch-the-air celebration from the man who made 240 league appearances for Tottenham and whose coaching career began running the under nine’s and 10’s at White Hart Lane.

"Everyone played their socks off today – everyone. Stuart (Thurgood) and John (Martin) were fantastic in the middle of the pitch, we defended well when we needed to and kept a clean sheet. Our attacking options were pretty good too."

The most exciting player on the pitch – and possibly the most influential – was 20-year-old Denis Oli.

The former Cambridge United midfielder has been pushed up front more than once in recent weeks and his vision, exquisite touch and lightening speed have served him and his side well. So well in fact that Stimson has been afforded the luxury of gently easing his number one striker Leroy Griffiths back into the side after injury.

Oli – athletic, skilful and strong - had already caused problems with his diagonal runs and neat link-up play by the time Mitchell Cole bent an exquisite 25-yard free kick into the top right corner.

Then he ghosted onto a thump down field from Lee Matthews through a frantically back pedalling Burton defence and nodded it coolly over the slow-to-advance keeper Dan Crane.

If there had been a question mark over the first goal and the second had been conceded far too easily, the third came gift wrapped.

Aaron Webster let in Oli on the right and as the Grays striker surged into the box he was tripped by Ryan Austin. Skipper and man-of-the match Thurgood converted the spot kick with gusto.

Burton fought like a cornered animal in the early stages of the second half forcing three early corners. Twice Craig Dudley was foiled by the admirable Ashley Bayes and then the busy midfielder clipped the bar.

But normal service was resumed as Cole’s cultured left foot shot struck the base of a post and then Thurgood and Hooper combined to put in Oli again. He made no mistake, powering his strike into the far corner.

The fifth goal summed up Burton’s day. Instead of the customary high delivery into the box, Thurgood struck in a low free kick which found its way across the box to Lee Matthews who hammered home from two yards.

With 20 minutes remaining and Griffiths up off the bench Burton were staring complete humiliation in the face. Somehow, though, they were saved further embarrassment as Griffiths lobbed past the post, Steve West’s shot drew a fine save from Crane and another Cole special fizzed past the post.

It was an altogether different story in the other semi-final tie between Conference North side, Hucknall Town and Conference South outfit, Bishop’s Stortford.

A crowd of 1,788 at Woodside Park witnessed the underdogs claim a 2-1 victory – and a precious advantage going into the second leg.

Andy Todd – signed from Worksop Town this season – found himself in space in the box after Bishops had failed to cut out a long throw and he put Hucknall ahead as early as the fourth minute.

Bishops – who needed time to settle into a formation forced on them by the suspension of Alex Martin and skipper David Rainford – did not take long to respond however, Tim Langer heading in the equaliser from an Ant Altman corner.

But any hopes of wresting control were dashed by the lively Hucknall who seemed galvanised after allowing their opponents to get back on level terms.

Danny Bacon and Todd both came close before Gary Ricketts was picked out by Bacon and the well-proportioned striker belted past a despairing Andy Young.

Bishops came out fighting in the second half, and for a while Hucknall were under pressure.

Bob Thanda and Duane Jackman combined to test Greg Smith and Thanda had a golden chance but his diving header skewed wide.

Hucknall were forced onto the back foot, but then grew stronger in the latter stages, Ricketts volleying wide and Steve Palmer forcing two fine saves from Lewis.

"We’ve had to overcome some great sides in this competition, the draw has been pretty unkind to us – but we’ve got great heart and teams have to play well to beat us," said Hucknall player-manager, Dean Barrick.

"We got off to a great start today, some of the football we played was excellent.

"I think we just about shaded the first half. They came out fighting after the break and really put us under pressure - but we didn’t go under."

Barrick was generous in his praise for his opponents.

"I don’t think Stortford let anyone down today, they looked dangerous from set-pieces, and Morison up-front is as good as anyone we’ve faced.

"On reflection I don’t think either team deserved to win it by more than a goal, there wasn’t that much difference between us – which is why I think the second leg is going to be difficult.

"We’re not taking anything for granted, there’s a long way to go yet!"

Despite their defeat, Stortford Manager, Martin Hayes was positive.

"Whatever happened today, it’s only half-time.

"I saw nothing from them today that scared me, and I’ll have a few different and fitter players available for next week’s game.

"We didn’t really get going today, they stopped us playing and didn’t really play themselves, preferring to knock it long.

"It was a similar game to the one we played at home to Gravesend. They’ll need to score again as we’re capable of scoring a couple ourselves."