LEE Flynn fired Grays Athletic to victory over West Ham, before hailing the Blues fans for their work in getting the ground ready.

The Grays skipper buried a first half free-kick to double his side's lead and send the home fans into raptures during a 4-1 win.

He and boss Hakan Heyrettin then moved to pay tribute to the Grays faithful who had volunteered their own time to spruce up the dilapidated old Ford Sports ground in time for the fixture, which saw West Ham chairman officially open the ground before kick-off.

Fans gave up their weekends to get the ground looking ship-shape whilst West Ham groundsmen tended to an immaculate looking pitch.

Speaking after the game, Flynn said: "This facility is amazing. Everyone's done a great job and this is only going to help our cause.

"That's one of the best pitches i've played on. The way we play, that pitch will really help. But the whole ground is fantastic."

Hakan added: "The fans have played their part in this, giving up their time to loads of work.

"I hope the fans like what they saw and will come back!"

It's difficult to see how fans would have been unhappy with what they say on Friday night.

More than 700 filtered into the ground, witnessing a determined and at times slick Grays outfit, dismantle a West Ham side that included the likes of Frederic Piquionne and ex-Man United star Ravel Morrison.

Controversial Southend man Bilel Mohsni, on trial at West Ham, opened the scoring for Grays, knocking Luke Marshall's cross into his own net after five minutes.

Flynn then doubled the lead moments later, leaving West Ham's young keeper Larkin rooted to the spot with a smart free-kick.

The lively Joao Carlos made it 3-0 before half time, nodding home at the back post after the erratic West Ham defence had failed to clear.

Craig Pope then made it 4-0 shortly after half-time, heading in from a corner, before Mohsni scrambled in a consolation goal which led to a West Ham revival, rebuffed by the excellent Grays goalkeeper Lamar Johnson.

Grays boss Hakan Hayrettin was keen to remain level-headed, but was proud of his players efforts. He said: "It was a good work out for us and a step in the right direction so we're more than happy with that.

"I thought Lamar Johnson the keeper played well and Leon Lalite in the middle.

"I hope this bodes well but at the end of the day it doesn't mean anything, but i'm happy."