Grays Athletic 5 Kiddermister Harriers 1

HARRIERS were stunned by Danny Kedwell's first half hat-trick at the New Recreation Ground in the Blue Sqaure Premier Division on Saturday.

The visitors never recovered from going down to Kedwell's early goal and found themselves trailing 4-0 by half time.

Even with an improved second half performance, Harriers did not have the cutting edge to spark a fight back, despite Iyseden Christie's goal.

Worryingly, the lack of concentration in defence that has affected the team in their opening games once again rose its ugly head, as bubbling Grays enjoyed one of those games were every shot found the back of the net in the first half.

Harriers manager Mark Yates will be concerned that his side mis-fired in every department, particularly at the back.

Kedwell opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he raced onto Jamie Stuart's pass and nudged the ball past goalkeeper Scott Bevan as he rushed out.

The visitors were unfortunate to concede a penalty in the 20th minute when referee, Amy Rayner, judged defender Jon Munday had fouled Ben Watson as the duo both went for the ball.

Michael Blackwood tried a looping effort in the 11th minute that keeper Ross Flitney almost spooned into his own net but the keeper recovered to claw the ball away.

Kedwell stroked the ball to Bevan's right but had to re-take the spot-kick after players enchroached into the area. Despite the disruption the hitman directed the ball into the left hand corner to make it 2-0.

Munday almost made up for his error but headed Johnny Harknesses corner just over but Harriers.

Grays though hit Harriers on the break and Kedwell was given far too much time and space and set up Watson to make it 3-0 in the 23rd minute.

Stunned Harriers tried to get back into contention and Justin Richards beat hesistant keeper Ross Flitney to a high ball only to steer it wide of an open goal on the half hour mark.

Harriers had a decent shout for a penalty ignored by Raynor minutes later when Constable seemed to be brought down by defender Jon Ashton in the area. But the official ignored the striker's pleas.

Kedwell then punished more hesitant defending when he ran past Paul Bignot, who had a game to forget, and fired a low shot past a diving Bevan just inside the left post.

Yates, who watched the game from the stands because of his suspension, gave instructions to bring on Jeff Kenna and forward Iyseden Christie at the start of the second half.

The burley striker made an immediate impact when Karl Murray handled in the box and he slotted home the spot-kick in the 48th minute.

Despite the lifeline it did not stir shell-shocked Harriers into action. Grays substitute Aaron O'Connor killed off any notion of a Harriers fight back in the 67th minute when he tapped in Mark Marshall's cross from close range.

The visitors tried hard lift themselves and enjoyed more possessiion but with Grays hitting them on the break there was always the danger they could leak another goal.

Bevan did well to palm away O'Connor's stinging shot and midfielder Gavin Hurren drove into the box in the 88th minute but Flitney denied him from close range.

After the game angry Yates made his team do shuttle runs on the pitch, before locking them in the changing rooms for an hour..

Harriers: Bevan, Harkness, Hurren, Creighton, Constable, Richards (Ferrell, 77 mins), Penn (c), Blackwood, Smikle (Kenna, 45mins), Munday, Bignot (Christie, 45mins).

Grays: Flitney, Sambrook, Stuart (c), Oli (Marshall, 45mins), Kedwell, Murray, Ashton, Hearn, Watson (O'Connor, 29mins), Cooksey (Day, 65mins), Lawson.

Referee: Amy Rayner (Leicestershire). Attendance: 1107.