Ryman Div One North
Ware 1 v 5 Grays Ath
THE BLUES machine rumbled on as a performance of ruthless efficency sqw off Ware 5-1..
Grays started the game with an attacking 4-3-3 formation and started in confident mood.
Jeff Hammond looked swift and earned a number of corners early on. Infact he was clipped in the area and could have earned a penalty. In the 11th minute, he produced a swift run through the middle but with the pitch cutting up very quickly, he couldn’t gain control.
But it was Ware who had the first clear cut chance when a Ware attacker broke free but his shot was weak.
Grays opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when after a goalmouth scramble, Leon Lalite put a dangerous cross into the box and Jack West rose high to head home.
There was almost a second a minute later but Jared Small was judged offside.
Grays continued to be solid at the back with once again Junior Baker a rock. He had to be as Gill continued to be a menace.
Grays stretched the lead on the stroke of half time when Lee Flynn sent in a wicked free kick and Jeff Hammond sent a power header into the net.
Ware flickered into life at the start of the second half. In the 53rd minute, they had three consecutive corners.
Danny Bunce made it 3-0 from the spot inn the 55th minute and with Ware’s Dave Bastien sent off a minute later it looked grim for Ware.
But Dave Koren pulled one back for Ware in the 61st minute.
Sure enough Jack West looked in a rich vein of form as he bundled the ball home from close range for the fourth goal and then completed his hat-trick with a similar goal.
All his goals paid testament to a player who never gave up and used his force to upset the Ware defence.
There was a beautifully timed run by Leon Lalite that deserved better as he chipped the keeper but the ball just went over.
Grays dominated the rest of the game without adding to their impressive tally.
Grays Ath: Johnson L, Pope C, Kirby R, Baker J, Flynn L, Bunce D ( Subola D 80), Lalite L, Beaney K, Hammond J (Marshall L 70), Small J (Sweeney J 75), West J.
Subs not used: East D.
