Grays Athletic 4 - 0 Witham Town

From Mill Field

Ryman Premier

 

GRAYS Athletic cruised to victory against ten-man Witham Town thanks to a terrific second half display.

Athletic scored four times after Conor Mead had seen red for the visitors with Freddie Ladapo netting a brace, after Kenny Beaney had opened the scoring. Dumebi Dumaka also got himself on the scoresheet.

Jody Brown's boys had a point to prove after their 3-0 defeat at Margate and were looking to bounce back in their last home game before Christmas.

Ladapo came close in the opening minutes with a shot going just wide of the post. However Witham are no easy push over and they counter attacked well to cause the Grays defence some concern.

Athletic goalkeeper Conor Cough was called into action soon after, tipping over the bar when on-loan Chelmsford City striker Luke Callander took aim.

But with ten minutes to go before the break, Mead and Joao Carlos were cautioned for a tussle on the far side of the pitch and, only moments later Mead saw red as he brought down Carlos.

Athletic started the second half on the front foot as the extra man started to come into effect.

Ladapo and Dumaka were causing the Witham defence problems and in the 52nd minute the deadlock was broken as club captain Kenny Beaney fired home.

Only minutes later Ladapo scored a fantastic goal to double the advantage.

Substitute Aaron Wickham looked lively after his introduction and it was from his cross that Dumaka was able to make it 3-0 to Grays with an hour played.

The final goal came four minutes from time as Ladapo sneaked the ball through the keeper's legs to get his second of the game and make it 4-0.

Next up for Grays is VCD Athletic on Tuesday night.