Grays Athletic 3, Heybridge Swifts 0

HAKAN Heyrettin, the Grays boss, called his side's victory over Heybridge Swifts "unbelieveable", claiming it to be "the best performance ever" from any side he's managed.

His side swept Swifts aside, scoring three first half goals to maintain their unbeaten start to life at Rush Green.

Blues dominated possession, zipping the ball from defence up to attack and from left flank to right flank. When Heybridge did get the ball, they were closed down quickly and restricted to only a handful of chances. George Kamurasi in the Blues goal was barely called into action.

Joe Sweeney, the forward, who is fast becoming a fans favourite opened the scoring for Grays after 14 minutes, cropping up at the back post to prod home Joao Carlos' blocked header.

James Bunn, who caused all manner of problems up front with his endeavour, committment and strength, headed home Lee Flynn's pinpoint cross to round off a superb team move after 28 minutes.

The energetic Jake Hall, who didn't stop running, made it 3-0 two minutes before half time, as he swept in Joao Carlos' low, near-post cross following another excellent passage of build up pay, forged from crisp passing, neat one-twos and intelligent movement.

Heybridge put eight past league rivals Redbridge last week, but the quality they mustered for that win certainly wasn't in evidence against Blues on Tuesday evening.

Soloman Ofori missed the visitors' best chance of the game after just four minutes, heading over Ben Newson's cross.

After Grays' opening goal, Swifts' posed little threat and with the score 3-0 at half time, it was a little surprising that Blues failed to add to their tally.

Nick Eyre, a former Grays player in the Heybridge goal made several important saves and Carlos in particular missed a handful of opportunities.

Sub Jack West fired wide late on, after Blues had carved Swifts open for the upteenth time.

With that win, Blues climb to second in the Ryman North league.

Speaking after the game, a delighted Heyrettin said: "In 12 years of me doing this job at any level, that's the best i've seen one of my teams play. It was unbelievable.

"We should have had five or six in the second half. People have said our boys aren't fit. If they're not fit, then i'll run around Grays naked.

"To see us play the way we did, to get the ball down and have the quality, the discipline and the desire to do the right things, it could have been eight or nine.

"They're a credit to the badge and a credit to the club.

"We've got a player called Leon Lalite, who, if I was a football league manager, I would still sign."

He added: "The players have gelled well, there's a unity in the squad and I was proud to say I was manager of that side tonight."

"Both wingers were outstanding, I thought Bunn had his best game of the season, everybody was brilliant."

"We've got to keep doing what we're doing. We've got to keep our feet on the ground, we know what our targets are and we've got to do our best to reach them."

Grays Athletic starting XI: Kamurasi; Pope, Baker, Cooper, Flynn (c); Marshall, Lalite, Hall (Beaney, 65'), Sweeney (Bunce, 69'), Carlos; Bunn (West, 83')

Attendance: 148

Gazette MOM: Jake Hall