A blistering second half performance by Grays Athletic secured the pre-season silverware for the Blues against a Tilbury side who competed well for an hour but then fell away under an avalanche of Grays goals.

The first half was a relatively tight affair. The much-travelled former Blue, Sam Bantick had the game’s first chance but he blazed a free-kick well wide of the goal. Bobby Unwin then produced a fine cross from the left wing, but the ball evaded everyone in the box.

Aron Gordon was doing what Aron Gordon does, running at the opposition at pace. Another ex-Blue Macaulay Joynes cleared one chance and Dockers keeper, Christian North kept out the next.

Given the size and strength of the TIlbury back line, Blues were playing too many long balls out of defence that were readily cleared. At the other end, the Grays back four were relatively untroubled. Dockers centre forward, Jordan Clark was doing his best to make a nuisance of himself but there was little in the way of a clear sight of goal.

Late in the half, Blues forced a series of corners. An Alejandro Machado long shot was deflected behind, as was an Elliott Sartorius free kick. But again the chances came to nothing.

Half time: Grays Athletic 0 v 0 Tilbury

Whatever Grays manager, Darren Manning, said in the changing room at half time had a transformative impact on the game. From the whistle, the whole team were quicker and sharper, keeping the ball better and passing crisply.

Blues should have taken the lead in just the second minute when Kenedi Dariri and Elliott Sartorius worked the ball to Alex Moss who headed wide. Matas Skarna then got out his slide-rule with an inch-perfect pass for Sartorius to run onto. But he saw his shot from a narrow angle come back off the far post.

Tilbury were still dangerous on the break - and it took a fine last ditch clearance from Moss to deny Bantick.

But by now, the Blues pressure was relentless and it was only a matter of time. Just after the hour, Malaki Toussaint found Machado outside the box. He worked a yard of space and picked out the corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

That goal opened the floodgates. The second goal a few minutes later started with a Danny Sambridge roll out. Blues worked the ball down the field to Bobby Unwin, He rode the challenges and threaded the ball through to Luke Hirst, whose shot went in off the post for 2-0.

The third, seven minutes from time was a Machado solo effort. Picking up the ball in midfield, charging forward and despite pressure from several Tilbury defenders he let fly an unstoppable shot past Harry Girling.

By now, the Dockers were a beaten side but Grays weren’t finished. Joynes failed to find Girling with his back pass and Hirst nicked the ball and walked it into the empty net for 4-0. And just before the final whistle, Hirst completed his hat-trick and Blues 5th, when he got onto the end of Albert Perry’s through ball and Girling’s outstretched leg couldn’t prevent another goal.

All-in-all a fine night for Grays who took home the Stan Veness silverware. Whilst the result was a great one, five goals and a clean sheet, manager Darren Manning was more pleased with the performance, fitness and togetherness shown across the 90 minutes. Tilbury have recruited well over the summer and they will surely find better form given time and we wish them well, back in the Isthmian League this season.

Final score: Grays Athletic 5 v 0 Tilbury

Grays Athletic starting XI : Sambridge, Dariri, Skarna, Machado, Moss, Humphrey, Gordon, Toussaint, Hirst, Sartorius, Unwin

Subs : Long, Sandhu, Perry, Remi (not used - Carlos, Walker, Lagopidis)