Grays Ath completed their pre-season schedule with a 3-1 defeat in north London at Hadley FC. It was quite a feisty affair that didn't have much of a "friendly" about it. The referee seemed content to let tackles fly in, more than was really necessary for a fixture of this kind.

Blues didn't help themselves though by committing defensive suicide in the first thirty seconds of the game, handing Hadley a simple finish from close range for a 1-0 lead. Your reporter hadn't even got his notebook open ! However, they were level just five minutes later when a Guy Norton corner was fumbled by the home keeper, allowing Connor Hogan to poke the ball home for his first goal in a Grays shirt.

Rob Harvey let fly from distance but shot just wide, whilst at the other end, Mackenzie Drew, in goal for Blues, produced a fine save and then Hadley hit the bar from the edge of the box. Another goal was on the cards but Grays can't be happy allowing the opposition a free head from a corner that made it 2-1 midway through the half.

The game then became very tetchy, getting bogged down in the midfield, with one or two ripe tackles. The home side played a lot of long ball but also made some intelligent runs out wide. Blues were giving the ball away too easily but still showing some nice passing moves.

Half time : Hadley 2 v 1 Grays Ath

The second half was something of a non-event, with few moments of note and neither keeper seriously troubled. Grays did though make more of a showing, having more of the ball and working the ball down the wings. On the half hour, Denim Nnamudi had one of the few clear chances but pulled his shot wide.

Late on, the ref closed the game out with a rather questionable penalty decision that Hadley converted to complete the 3-1 scoreline.

So that's it for pre-season and now things get serious. Next up for Blues is another visit Friday evening visit to north-west London for our debut in this year's FA Cup against step 5 Hilltop FC. Let's get behind the lads and kick off a cup run that could set us up for the whole season.

Final score : Hadley 3 v 1 Grays Ath