Concord Rangers 2 – 3 Grays Athletic

The ex-Stansted striker who scored 35 goals last season, played up front with Jean-Michel Sigere, as manager Hakan Hayrettin mixed up his frontline pairings. Dagenham & Redbridge have signed the 21-year old; however they are keen for him to get further first team experience.

Lee Flynn showed the team’s attacking intent as early as the second minute, as he took aim from the left corner of the 18 yard area, only to see his shot fly over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Blues were in the lead, as Harry Agombar delivered from the left corner onto the head of Bradley Thomas, who finished well.

After ten minutes, some intricate play on the edge of the area ended up with the ball being played through to Gayle. With the keeper closing down on him, he kept his composure and calmly slotted home to double the lead.

Continuing their dominance on the first half, Agombar showed his skill and vision as he attempted to lob the home keeper who could only have been 10 yards from his goal. His effort had the better of the keeper, only for the ball to fit hit the crossbar. As it rebounded, the on-rushing Gayle followed up with an excellent volley; however it went straight at the keeper who held it well.

Shortly after, Flynn started the move deep inside as he hit a long ball up-field which Sigere did well to control. With his second touch he took it past his defender before laying the ball across the goal for Gayle to hit home for his second.

The third goal stirred Concord into a reaction and they were unlucky on the half hour as a shot got the better of Ali Aksoy in the Grays goal, only to see the shot hit the post, and then cleared.

Shortly before half time, they got themselves on the scoresheet as a scramble in the area, led to the ball going in via a deflection off Craig Pope.

Hayrettin rung the changes just after half time, with Northwood taking his place in goal, and Bertie Brayley entering the game amongst many others.

As the number of changes disrupted the team’s flowing nature of the first half, Brayley delivered from wide, and his great cross was just missed by the impressive Calvin Poku at the far post.

There were two further efforts on goal for Grays, as first Jared Small intercepted a loose pass, only for his lob to go high and wide. Moments later, Joe Sweeney pinched the ball following some poor defending, and took it past two men, but he couldn’t convert.

As the game headed towards the end, the home side found an extra gear and increased the tempo. Northwood made a great save tipping over a shot from distance, before late pressure ended with a free header from a corner, which left Northwood with no chance.

Starting Line-up – Ali Aksoy (triallist), Craig Pope, Grant Cooper, Bradley Thomas, Lee Flynn, Jason Fontaine, Harry Agombar, Kenny Beaney , Joao Carlos, Dwight Gayle (triallist), Jean-Michel Sigere.

Subs – Stephen Northwood, Daniel Smith, Jared Small, Papy Kanyuka, Charlie Hurlock, Calvin Poku, Joe Sweeney, Richard Oxby, Joe McEvoy, Bertie Brayley (triallist)