This week’s footballing maxim is that you can only play what is in front of you. With an FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round fixture this coming weekend, Hornchurch took the somewhat controversial decision to rest their entire first team squad for this BBC Essex Senior Cup third round tie, choosing instead to field an XI from their academy set up. And notwithstanding Grays indifferent start to their league season, this really was men against boys, as the Blues ran riot with a goalfest, especially in the first half, the likes of which supporters have not seen for many a long day. Even without a cohort of their most experienced players, Mitch Hahn put out a strong-looking team, taking nothing for granted.

Starting for the first time in a Blue shirt, and getting an hour’s matchplay into his legs, Brandon Adams looked a class act from the off. In the opening exchange, he turned Gael Kileba’s cross into the side netting and soon after he was adjudged just offside when through on goal.

The opening goal came in just the seventh minute when Liam Morritt found himself in space with the ball at his feet inside the penalty area and he calmly slotted past keeper William Wood for a 1-0 lead.

Straight from the kick-off Blues won the ball back and Morritt fed Adams who shot into the arms the keeper. But just a couple of minutes later, a Kileba cross bounced around the Hornchurch area and a snap shot from Morritt somehow found its way into the net for his and Grays’ second of the night. 2-0.

It really was one-way traffic, with the Urchins struggling to get out of their half and Blues keeper, Mackenzie Drew, a virtual spectator.

Only a rogue offside flag prevented Freddie Price running through with a clear passage to goal. But just after the half hour, Gabriel Chapps crossed and from close range, Brandon Adams headed the first of what is hopefully a swathe of goals for Grays, making it 3-0. And two minutes later, a deep Price corner found Callum Burkey at the far post and he also opened his account for Blues, for a 4-0 lead.

Gabriel Chapps should have added to the total when Wood’s clearance went straight to him, but credit to the Hornchurch back line for coming to the rescue, crowding out the chance.

Just before the 45 minute mark, Liam Morritt completed the rarity of a first half hat trick when he broke through the visitors' defence and gave Wood no chance with a smart finish for Grays’ fifth of the evening.

And still they weren’t done, when in added time, Gabriel Chapps got on the end of a Kileba cross to turn the ball home for a 6-0 lead. Quite some half from Blues.

Half time : Grays Athletic 6 v 0 Hornchurch

Virtually straight from the kick-off, Blues fans were starting to discuss the biggest score they had ever seen, when Freddie Price skipped down the left wing and crossed for Brandon Adams to make it 7-0 on the night.

Tyler Brampton then went on a mission down the right wing and was only stopped by a rather crude tackle from James Mapp, who was lucky not to go into referee, Mr Stott’s notebook.

Hornchurch then probably had their best period of the evening, even if it was only by not conceding for a reasonable period. Commendably, they were trying to play their game but it was always going to be difficult up against such a difference in age and experience.

What turned out to be the final goal of the evening came midway through the second half when from a Price corner, Chapps was left with far too much space close in, allowing him an easy header, and an 8-0 scoreline.

Blues emptied their bench, Mitch Hahn even giving himself a run out. But the remainder of the match was a catalogue of missed chances for Grays to extend their tally into the stratosphere.

Callum Burkey let fly from distance straight at Wood, before the keeper made a fine save tipping an angled shot from Gael Kileba over the bar. Sub Carter McClean’s long-range effort went wide of the post before the same player scuffed a chance at close range, created by Hahn and Chapps.

So a much-needed confidence booster of a crushing victory for Grays before their league encounter on Saturday against Canvey Island.

I can’t finish though without giving due praise to the young Hornchurch players who were set an unenviable task but never let their heads drop despite the scoreline and played with full commitment right up to the final whistle.

But in truth, the Grays team had far too much strength, experience and nous for this to ever be anything of a true contest. Hopefully, we haven’t exhausted our shooting boots for the tests ahead.

Final score : Grays Athletic 8 v 0 Hornchurch

Grays Ath : Drew, Brampton, Moss (46, Joynes), Sammons, Buckey, F.Price (75, Hahn), Moncur, Chapps, Morritt (55, McClean), Kileba, Adams (66, Wade)