Grays Athletic vs West Ham United (From Thurrock Gazette)

9:34pm

The final whistle goes!

Grays Athletic 4-1 West Ham United

For Grays: Mohsni (og), Flynn, Carlos, Pope

For WHUFC: Mohsni

Attendance: 700 (at least)

Full match report to follow later!

9:32pm

The game's in its closing stages now and the last 10 minutes or so haven't been very friendly. Tackles flying in all over the place and players exchanging verbals. Would certainly have been a few cards if it wasn't pre-season.

9:28pm

Fantastic performance from Carlos tonight.

Another Grays Athletic substitution:

Off- Ryan Kirby On- Dave East

9:27pm

Morrison and Maxwell engaging in hand bags in the centre circle after Morrison refused to give the ball back after West Ham conceded a free-kick. West Ham not really looking like adding to their one goal at the moment.

Grays Athletic substitution:

Off- Joao Carlos On- Alex Cruickshank

9:22pm

Joao Carlos is having a blinding game. He has great poise, strength and vision. Just picked out a super cross field pass after holding off a defender.

Mohsni then blocked a powerful shot that made the crowd go "oof".

9:20pm

Good chance squandered by West Ham.

George Moncur got himself into a good position to receive a cross from the right, but side footed wide.

9:16pm

West Ham undoubtedly the better side in this second half.

They've just had a goal disallowed, too.

A rasping effort from Leo Chambers was dropped by Johnson and Morrison pounced, but he was judged to have been in an offside position.

9:12pm

Substitution for Grays Athletic:

Off- Jake Hall On- Brian Moses

9:10pm

The announcer has just revealed that Mohsni scored the opening goal, too. An own goal that one, he must have had the final touch following Luke Marshall's cross. He's a character.

Looking a real threat in the air for West Ham at corners, of which they're about to take their fourth in a row. Should have two now after Baker cleared off the line, beating Mohsni to the ball by a fraction.

9:05pm

Subsititutions for Grays Athletic:

Tyrone Scarlett and Ryan Maxwell on.

9:01pm

The rain's lashing down now as the game opens up. Sweeney wins a corner for Grays

9:00pm

More of the same from Johnson who's having a fantastic five minutes here.

Morrison this time made a good run in to the box, clear of the last defender, but Johnson, at full stretch pushed the ball away at Morrison's feet.

8:59pm

Fantastic work again from the impressive Grays keeper Johnson. Piquionne beat the offside trap and slid the ball into Moncur, who was met by the on rushing Johnson, who made himself big to smother.

8:56pm

The Grays players are being afforded a lot of time on the ball. Unlikely to be like this in Ryman Division One this year.

Substitutions:

West Ham:

Off - Pelly Mpenzu - On - Amos Nasha

Grays Athletic:

On - Joe Sweeney Off - Jack West

8:49pm

The flood lights are on at Rush Green now. It's getting a bit chilly, too. Still plenty left in this game though.

Darting run into the box by Ravel Morrison, well tackled though, with the ball cleared out for a corner, which Piquionne heads over.

8:49pm

It doesn't look like there have been any substitutions yet, proving me very wrong!

8:48pm

We're back underway at Rush Green.

Good chance to Piquionne straight away, header from point blank range saved down low by Johnson. The flag was up anyway.

8:33pm

HALF TIME - Grays Athletic 3 - 0 West Ham United

Goals from West, Flynn and Carlos.

Well that was a surprise. Grays electric going forward and West Ham poor in defence.

I expect two entirely different sides to come out for the second half.

8:30pm

West Ham are almost playing with two at the back at times. Mohsni is getting sucked up the pitch, as are the Hammers midfielders. It's leaving a lot of space for Grays when they get the ball forward.

8:26pm

Lovely football on the edge of Grays box between Morrison and Lletget, then great feet from Mpanzu before his effort is deflected over.

Then a fine strike from Lletget following the corner is well saved by Johnson.

8:24pm

Good feet then a good strike from George Moncur, but his effort into Johnson's near post is easily saved.

8:22pm

A good spell of possession from West Ham, with everyone getting involved. No real cutting edge though, despite a nice side-rule pass from Mohsni. He's really getting involved at the moment.

8:19pm

So, 2-0 to Grays. They look good going forward and disciplined at the back. A strong West Ham side is on the ropes a tad, here.

As Mohsni attempts an outside-of-the-boot clearance having won the ball well, only to give it away. Dreadful. Grays collect it and win a corner which is cleared.

8:14pm

Great stuff here at Rush Green. At one end, Mohsni has a header saved on the line by Johnson following a Piquionne corner.

The resulting Grays counter attack has earned them a free-kick in a dangerous area.

8:11pm

A promising West Ham counter attack snuffed out well by Grays. Ball then played into Bunce who fired wide from 25 yards. Better from Grays who are seeing much more of the ball now.

8:08pm

Bilel Mohsni, the controversial trialist from Southend United, has started the game at centre-half for West Ham. Not had too much to do yet.

8:05pm

Good chance for Piquionne, collected the ball on his chest, 7 yards from goal, span and shot tamely at the keeper. Moment of class from the frenchman. No goal though.

Grays are struggling to keep the ball now.

7:59pm

Lovely run down the left from Joao Carlos, whose through ball finds West, but it's just too heavy.

Worth adding to that there are hundreds here for this game. The ground was officially opened by West Ham chairman David Sullivan before the game.

7:56pm

Great start for Grays, as Luke Marshall - who has looked dangerous early on - runs down the right and pulls the ball back. It's scrambled in by Jack West

7:53pm

West Ham dominating possession now. Grays haven't really touched the ball since scoring. But as of yet, no clear cut chance for West Ham.

7:48pm

Team line-ups:

Grays Athletic:

Johnson; Pope, Baker, Kirby, Flynn (c); Marshall, Lalite, Bunce, Hall; Joao Carlos, West

West Ham United:

Larkins; Driver, Fanimo, Moncur, Mohsni; Wearen, Mpanzu, Lletget; Morrison, Piquionne, Hall

7:45pm

7:45pm

So we're seconds from kick-off here.

West Ham have fielded a strong starting eleven, but Rush Green is looking immaculate. It's a good night for Grays, regardless of the result.