Super Seven Haul
Grays Athletics’ present to their manager Mark Stimson sent shivers throughout the Conference South and will have been noted by high-flying Hornchurch too.
Blues’ recent rampaging took on new dimensions on Saturday when they rubbed mid-table Dorchester Town’s faces in the mud in front of silenced home fans.
In a week which has seen Blues on-loan striker Freddy Eastwood rack up goals for the Shrimpers and a small war of words about Eastwood’s price tag, Grays players were determined to show their boss they are a potent force with the Fredster’s magic boots and Avenue Stadium was the scene of a magnificent Grays performance.
Goals started early with Gary Hooper on target in the seventh minutes. He netted after 22-year-old John Nutter – Stimmo’s summer attacking midfield signing – lofted a free kick which Dean Brennan crossed to Hooper.
With just over 10 minutes gone, the Magpies defence was breached again as Mitchell Cole’s corner allowed Zeljko Popovic to scramble the ball in. Shocked by Grays’ marauding start, Town’s Justin Keeler forced a fearless save from Nicky Eyre.
Blues’ third came with half an hour gone when Brennan’s corner was met at the far post by former Hammer Leroy Griffiths.
And the goals kept coming. Just before the break Griffiths again dispossessed midfielder Joseba Barandian and arced the ball in.
Griffiths was involved in the fifth too, raking back the ball for Brennan to drive in from distance.
Town were in tatters. But to their credit, they came back when Matt Grove’s strike drew an excellent save from Eyre.
Chances aplenty fell for Blues, but despite a bruised defence it was not until the 73rd minutes that Vill Powell – who had been put on for Mitchell Cole – scooted in a speculative low shot which the luckless keeper Craig Bradshaw seemed to have covered, but didn’t. The ball bobbled between his legs and into the net.
Stimmo’s delight was rounded off with just over 120 minutes to go after Brennan’s low cross was clattered home at the far post by Hooper.
The performance was an emphatic one but Grays will face much tougher tasks than Town’s leaky defence.
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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