A disappointing performance from Sevenoaks Town culminated in their heaviest Pitching In Isthmian League South East defeat of the season on Saturday.
Starting the day fifth in the table – unbeaten in five matches, Oaks slipped up against a side beaten in their last four league outings.
Latest signings Rian Bray and Solomon Baugh, made their first starts, while leading marksman Ryan Gondoh returned to the starting line-up, recovering from the hamstring injury suffered in the FA Cup defeat at Ebbsfleet last month.
Two former Oaks players – Max Walsh and substitute Ainsley Everett who featured on the front cover in the home club’s digital programme Oaks’ best work on a lovely Autumn afternoon came early on, Baugh shooting wide of the near post, before Gondoh’s effort was pushed away by home keeper Matte Pierson.
Grinstead went in front after 12 minutes in their first attack, Walsh involved in the move, Tahjae Anderson scoring after Tyler McCarthy had blocked his first effort.
Oaks responded, Pierson saving from both Freddie Parker and Gondoh, either side of Ben Cheklit’s effort wide of the far post.
Boss Harry Hudson made a double change at half time, withdrawing both full backs Jordy Ndozid and Karn Miller-Neave – playing with three at the back, with Josh Bohul wide on the right.
Baugh went close soon after the restart seeing his effort deflected for a corner, before Oaks conceded a second, losing out in midfield Matt Daniel firing home to convert Tariq Straker’s low cross.
Baugh saw another effort go wide, before substitute Sam Williams added Grinstead’s third with 16 minutes left.
Straker was then sent off for a second booking following a late challenge on Gondoh as the clock ticked into stoppage time, but the match was all over bar the shouting at that stage.
Referee Fadi Mansour let a couple of Grinstead challenges go early on, but in the end he totted up seven cards, two of them to Straker.
Sevenoaks Town: Tyler McCarthy, Jordy Ndozid (Matthew Weaire 46 mins), Karn-Miller-Neave (Josh Bohul 46 mins), Will Hoare, Rian Bray, Lexus Beeden, Ben Cheklit (Bradley Wilson 59 mins), Bentley Graham, Freddie Parker, Ryan Gondoh.
