Manager Tristan Lewis said after the match that he'd learned a great deal about what needed to be done in the next few weeks/months from the heavy defeat inflicted by former United favourite Mark Bentley's Grays Athletic side on the Beaconsfield Road 3G.
United started well enough, taking the game to the visitors and after some neat inter-play on the right side, Luke Williams stepped over a low centre allowing the ball to travel to Michael Thalassistis but his first time shot was just too high.
United 'keeper Marek Rodak made a comfortable diving save from an angled shot before a deep cross to the far post saw both 'keeper and full-back beaten to the ball by Joao Carlos who volleyed the Essex side into the lead.
Rodak then held another shot from the visitors before a poor attempted back header from Christian Smith allowed Bradley Tomlinson a free run at goal and he comfortably beat Rodak to double the Grays advantage.
Before half time, the middle of the United defence parted like the Red Sea allowing Tomlinson to being down a long punt and fire his second past the unprotected Rodak.
Just before half time United could have pulled one back when Jhai Dhillon won the ball in the middle of the park and fed it through to Elliot Benyon but Grays 'keeper Lamar Johnson was quickly off his line to block his shot wide.
It took the visitors just three minutes after the break to net a fourth. Another ball over the top found Tomlinson, he turned past Ben Gerring and confidently completed his hat-trick, giving Rodak no chance.
Substitute Rhys Murrell-Williamson tested Johnson from distance but he grabbed the wingers' shot at the second attempt before Max Worsfold cut inside and tried to squeeze the ball past Johnson at the near post, the 'keeper was alert to this though and pushed the shot away.
Evander Lopes was the last to test Johnson who blocked his effort wide and Benno's side went away with a well earned 4-0 victory in the bag and we wish him and his Grays side all the best for the coming season ahead.
Report by Kevin Watts.