It’s a Winn-Winn-Winn for Grays
Writes StewieG
Hat-trick hero helps Blues ease through in FA Cup

Three goals from Ronnie Winn and another from Callum Watts were enough to see off the challenge of a spirited Edgware side in this FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie.
What, on paper, looked a tricky encounter for Grays was made all the more challenging when they made their now customary sluggish start to the game. There were only three minutes on the clock when Edgware’s tricky no11, Caoilan McGettigan was given the freedom of the Silver Jubilee Park penalty box. He found a calm finish past Danny Sambridge for an early shock 1-0 lead.
However, this time the early reverse seemed to spark Blues into action and just four minutes later, Ryan Melaugh picked up the ball in midfield and slotted a fine pass through to Ronnie Winn on the left edge of the box and he finished calmly to make it 1-1.
Soon after Callum Watts unleashed one of his trademark 20-yard rifle shots that struck a post but otherwise Grays were unable to impose themselves on the game, with Edgware giving as good as the got. Blues were too often wasteful in possession and seemed to want to rush the game rather than building any meaningful attacks. On the quarter hour, Edgware’s Dan Taylor let fly a shot from distance which keeper Sambridge was forced to tip over and a series of corners for the home side came to nothing.
It took until the 30 minute mark for Grays to take the lead and there was more than an element of fortune when Malakai Toussaint found Watts on the edge of the box and his shot was spooned into the net by the home keeper Paul Woods – to make it 2-1 to the Blues.
Watts tried his luck again five minutes later but this time Woods held the shot securely. Edgware were still a threat though, with the lively McGettigan forcing Sambridge into another sharp save. But it was Ronnie Winn who bagged his second, and Grays’ third six minutes before half time. Watts, Melaugh and Aron Gordon were all involved in the build-up, with Winn providing the smart finish for a 3-1 lead.
Half time: Edgware Town 1 v 3 Grays Athletic

The next goal in the game would be the vital one and it was Blues who put the game to bed. The home keeper, Woods flapped at a Grays corner and the ball fell to that man Ronnie Winn, who buried the ball through the crowd of players for his hat-trick and a 4-1 lead for the Blues, which effectively finished the game as a contest.
From here on, the task for Grays was one of game management. Rob Clark had come off the bench and provided more organisation and drive from deep and Mitch Hahn started to find more space in midfield to run the game. Macaulay Joynes, on his 100th appearance for the Blues was working well down the left with Melaugh and as Edgware tired, there were increasing chances for Blues to run at the opposition.
Watts, who was a thorn in the home team’s side all afternoon, had further chances to extend the winning margin – a volley set up by Ronnie Winn just cleared the bar, keeper Woods parried another shot to sub Josh Osude, whose follow-up was blocked and a final effort created by a driving run from Rob Clark, saw Woods pull off another good save from Watts.
So Blues progress comfortably into the hat for the Second Qualifying Round, although Edgware provided a stern challenge for the Blues, especially in the first half and we wish them well for the rest of their season.
Manager, Lewis Dark, along with all Blues fans, is looking for “anyone at home” in the draw. Fingers crossed for Monday morning.
Final score: Edgware Town 1 v 4 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Homans, Joynes, Watts (Lynch 86), G.Winn (R.Clark 49), Okonkwo, Gordon (Osude 46), Toussaint, R.Winn, Hahn, Melaugh
Subs not used: Griek, Bantick, Oyenuga