Danny Cadamarteri on trial

[The People's Hero]

He scored on saturday for grays

Matches

Weymouth 1 Grays Athletic 2 (F.A. Trophy 1st Round)

Sat, December 16, 2006. Kick off: 3:00 PM

Match Report by Martin Candler

Coming into the match with six first teamers injured or suspended (including skipper Stuart Thurgood and Djimi Sangare who both failed late fitness tests), things were indeed looking bleak for the Blues. But Grays were in no mood to give up their hold on the Trophy without a fight. Andy King decided to employ a 4-5-1 formation with Danny Cadamarteri on his own up front, Justin Richards wide on the right and Andy Sambrook in central mid-field. Against a big, physically strong Weymouth side Grays defended with Great Spirit and determination and broke forward with purpose at every available opportunity.

The Terras started the game on the attack and efforts from skipper Ben Smith and the ever-dangerous Abdul El Khoti flashed past the post as Grays took time to settle. Then in the 20th minute Grays mounted their first serious attack, and after a measured build-up, Johnny Martin‘s clever back heel found Cadamarteri who coolly lifted the ball over Justin Matthews from 15 yards to give the Blues the lead and stun the home crowd. Richards went close with a shot just over the bar as Grays held on to their advantage until half-time.

Soon after the restart, however, Weymouth were awarded a contentious penalty, Jamie Stuart being adjudged to have tugged Raphael Nade in the penalty area. Up stepped Richard Logan to put Weymouth on level terms and give the homesters renewed hope that they could go on and win the tie. But Grays, expertly marshalled by skipper Jamie Stuart, stood firm against Weymouth‘s increasingly desperate attacks and, despite a few alarums, kept their goal intact with a defensive display of grit and high spirit.

Grays, however, had one final surprise for their small band of travelling fans when in the 60th minute Johnny Martin‘s shot was parried by Matthews and Martin, himself was on hand to score what proved to be the winner. A fitting reward, perhaps, for a player who has sometimes struggled to find his best form this season but never hides and always gives everything for the cause. Weymouth had their chances, particularly from Smith, in the closing minutes but Ashley Bayes and his fellow defenders saw to it that Grays came away with another stunning Trophy win.

After the game, Andy King was in bullish mood, praising his team and lauding the contributions of Danny Cadamarteri, Johnny Martin and Andy Sambrook, but adding that there were “heroes everywhere†on the field today. He recognised that Grays have a proud record in this competition but added that his true priority remains having a real tilt at the play-offs.

Grays Athletic: Bayes, Sambrook, Nicholls, Kamara (Green), Stuart, Martin, Williamson, Comyn-Platt, Bull, Richards (Moulds), Cadamarteri.

Subs Not Used: Knowles, Hendry, Thurgood.

Goals: Cadamarteri 20, Martin 59.

I see Andy King isn't only the best midfielder at this club, in this league and in the world, he also finds time to manage Grays Athletic.