GRAYS ATHLETIC 4, HARLOW TOWN 1

JOAO Carlos hit a second-half hat-trick as Grays Athletic recovered from a poor first-half showing to thump Harlow Town.

It was Blues third win in succession as one of the biggest crowds of the season turned out to see how Heyrettin’s men would fare after last week’s derby win.

It was Thomas Davie, on loan from nearby Dagenham and Redbridge who gave the visitors the lead in the 29th minute, with George Kamurasi already having been kept busy in the Blues goal.

Despite Grays coming out all-guns-blazing for the second half, it took a Harry Agombar penalty to level the scores in the 63rd minute.

When Hector Mackie was then sent off for a second bookable offence minutes later, Grays turned on the style. Carlos bagged himself a 10-minute hat-trick, scoring in the 72nd, 80th and 82nd minute to seal a 4-1 win.

His third was the pick of the goals, and his sixth of the season, as he collected a smart ball from Joe Sweeney on his chest, before firing home.

Grays travelled to Potters Bar on Tuesday night for a top-of-the-table clash, where a win will have seen them climb into second place.

Grays Athletic: Kamurasi, Pope, Kirby, Baker (Nightingill 83’), Bunce, Carlos (Scarlett 86’), Beaney, Lalite, Agombar, Sweeney, West (Marshall 64’).