United hit top form to win at Grays and once again show their strength. Simon Clist, Alfie Potter,James Constable and Matt Green got the goals, but a fine team performance made sure that once again United won the league game immediately after a rare defeat.

There were changes to the line up as Sam Deering came in to midfield and Jack Midson started up front, and two half chances in the first three minutes as Constable almost headed a Tonkin cross home and then wasn't seen being wrestled as another cross came in a minute later. When Jack Midson headed a Batt cross wide after five minutes there was no question who had started the sharper as Grays tried to find their feet with six debutants and all of the changes that would entail.

It may not have been the most salubrious of surroundings but United were roaring forward and a Batt strike from twenty hyards was about six inches off target as keeper Richard Martin watched it swing upside, inside out but not quite find the net.

Two more penalty appeals went unanswered, the most convincing when Midson had his legs swept from under him on 16, before the inevitable goal came on 19. Bulman drove the game forward and then  Deering was asked to challenge for a ball in the air after Alfie Potter had clipped the ball in. From the knock down there was tenacity from Deering and Clist before Cist fired, left footed, into the right hand bottom corner of the net. A deserved goal and a fully deserved lead.

Grays hadn't really had a sniff until their first corner of the game on 22 saw former United striker Jamie Guy swivel and send in a low shot which Clist hacked off the line, and for a few minutes they started to get their game together as though the goal had given them a purpose.

United were still far the more likely lads though and Batt fizzed an even better effort wide of the other post, this time on 29, from a free kick awarded for one of a string of fouls on the very lively Deering. Deering and Day went close again before half time but it was a more than satisfactory 45 minutes and the promise was for more to come against a side which would surely tire.

A second goal nice and early would surely settle it and after fifteen seconds it was Potter who provided it. United kicked off and laid the ball back before launching towards Constable. His challenge with Hoyte saw the ball drop for Potter and he curled a magnificent right footed effort round Martin and unerringly in to the far corner.

United might have furthered their lead as Midson slammed a shot into the midriff of Martin, but were also happy to see an Alex Rhodes shot spin to safety off of a brave block by the excellent Damian Batt, but for all their endeavour and the enthusiasm of the debutants Grays never really caused Ryan Clarke too many moments of anxiety.

The men in white though were still pouring forward with Deering impish and Clist and Bulman immaculate in their tasks for the team. Indeed, with Wright and Day mobile and robust at the back and Tonkin having a fine game.

There was a fine improvised save from Martin on 68 when sub Matt Green lifted the ball over him and was just waiting for it to drop on to his boot to tap home when Martin suddenly appeared in to dive and take the ball away. A totally new type of save, and so unexpected, odd looking  and not what you expect we will have to coin it the 'Adrian Chiles's' beard' save. Probably.

Deering, with the superb away fans on all three sides of the ground chanting his name and cheering him on saw another effort go close on 81, and there was almost a first for Dannie Bulman as his piledriver on 83 was saved by the flying Martin at full stretch.

All we needed to turn a good afternoon into a great one was another Constable masterpiece and with time running out he did just that by chasing a lost cause, shrugging off a poor challenge and then scoring a well taken goal from a very tight angle to make it nineteen for the season. A goal typical of the man.

On came Matt Green, and for a finale he thrashed the ball home from the edge of the box after an unselfish pass from Bulman had given him the space to exploit.

Nothing Gray: a black and white win and a first one at what has been an unlucky ground for United. All in all a more than good day's work.

Att: 1136

Away: TBC

Report by Chris Williams

See the reaction in Yellow Player