SWIFTS EARN LOCAL PRIDE

Ath’s own goal horror enough to decide a dire Essex derby clash

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS came out on top in an Essex derby to leapfrog Grays and move into the play off places. It was a game that promised so much and failed to deliver in a niggly scrappy affair punctuated by frequent stoppage. It was fitting then that the outcome was decided by an own goal from Grays defender Stanley Muguo turning the ball past keeper Lloyd Anderson. It could be argued the controversial dismissal of Blues man Adalberto Pinto just before the break was the turning point, as up until his red card Grays showed enough to suggest they were capable of reducing the deficit. A cagey opening was littered with frequent stoppages and the only excitement came when Heybridge keeper Chris Haigh flapped at a corner eventually hacked clear.. Swifts grabbed the lead in the 26th minute when Pinto gave the ball away on the halfway line and a quick ball forward saw a breakdown in communication between Mahal and Anderson, resulting in the full-back inadvertently touching the ball home. Blues came close to reducing the arrears when Joao Carlos struck the upright and came close to a goal on his 350th appearance. In the game’s flashpoint, Pinto received his red card a minute from half time after a challenge on Martin Sorondo. The second period was a largely forgettable affair with both keepers rarely inconvenienced Heybridge were content to hold on to their lead, Grays applied pressure but were susceptible to quick breaks, substitute Kieran Bishop coming closest to an equaliser but his shot struck the post leaving Swifts to claim the points. STAR MAN: Luke Wilson (Heybridge) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★