After the disappointment of their FA Trophy exit at the weekend, Grays Athletic were back in league action and put their troubles behind them with a fine win against Concord Rangers. The first half performance in particular, was the kind of positive showing that fans know this squad is capable of producing.

Blues took the lead in just the fourth minute, when Luke Hirst got onto the end of a long ball out of the midfield, outpaced the defence and slotted expertly past visitors keeper, Dondre Abraham, to make it 1-0.

Grays were playing their best football of the season so far and, to be honest, Concord had few answers except to defend resolutely against the constant pressure from Blues. On 20 minutes, Hirst combined beautifully with Matas Skarna and George Craddock, whose cross just evaded Hirst, who had made his way into the middle. Blues were running at the visitors back line in a way not seen in previous games. Aron Gordon was his usual menacing self, whilst Louie Remi, on the right, was having by far his best game in a Blue shirt.

Just after the half hour mark, another fine corner from Craddock was somehow headed over the bar by Kenedi Dariri from very close range, when it seemed easier to score. Billy Willis, for the visitors, then produced a great last-ditch tackle to prevent Gordon pulling the trigger. Hirst tried his luck from distance, with a volley that was well saved by Abraham.

Chances at the other end were few and far between, with Danny Sambridge having a quiet night between the sticks. Most of Concord’s best work came from the impressive Anisius Lewis. But too often the Blues defence crowded him out before he could make any real progress.

The half ended with Grays winning a series of corners and producing a bout of ping-pong in the Concord box, but there was never a Blue shirt in the right place at the right time to create a clear chance.

Half time: Grays Ath 1 v 0 Concord Rangers

The second half was a more balanced affair, with half time subs, Amine Sassi and Simo Mbonkwe giving Concord more of a balanced look and Sassi using his pace down the wing to some effect. The first chance fell to the visitors’ Christian Adu Gyamfi, but he had strayed offside.

Louie Remi then chanced his luck from distance, which Abraham spilled, but Sid Walker could only put the rebound onto the roof of the net. Walker was having his usual combative, fearless game in midfield, disrupting possession and driving the play forward. And it was his long range shot that was deflected into the path of Hirst, who found himself one-on-one with Abraham, but the keeper pulled off a fine save.

Concord then had their best chance of the night midway through the half, when Sassi forced Sambridge into his only meaningful save of the game.

As the clock wore down, the Blues faithful were mindful of only being 1-0 up despite having dominated the game. But they need not have worried. With injury time looming, Louie Remi was fouled outside the right corner of the penalty area. The Blues man got up and planted a perfect free kick, round the wall and into the far top corner of the goal to double the lead. It was an absolute peach.

Despite nearly nine minutes of added time, Grays held on comfortably for their second league win of the season. More performances like that in the first half and Blues can look forward with confidence. But with a blank weekend coming up, fans will have to wait a bit longer to find out if things are really starting to blossom.

Final score: Grays Athletic 2 v 0 Concord Rangers.

Grays Ath : Sambridge, Toussaint, Skarna, Walker, Finneran, Dariri, Gordon (63, Unwin), Sartorius (90, Perry), Hirst, Craddock (72, Damrell), Remi

Subs not used: Carlos, Peglar