Hemel Hempstead Town 3
Concord Rangers 0
Concord Rangers were defeated in Hertfordshire for the fourth time this season as Hemel Hempstead Town breezed to a 3-0 victory over the struggling Beach Boys.
The hosts started the game the brighter of the two sides and went close to opening the scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes with the woodwork and Mitchell Beeney keeping the Tudors at bay - denying Dominic Morgan-Griffiths and George Williams respectively.
However just before the half hour mark Hemel snatched a deserved lead with Reece Grant bagging his first goal in Hemel Hempstead colours. Charlee Hughes delivered an inviting cross into a dangerous area where Grant was on hand to tap home from six yards out for his first strike since arriving at Vauxhall Road from Chelmsford City.
This goal ensured the Tudors went in at the break a goal to the good and eight minutes into the second period things got even better for Brad Quinton's side. A Montel McKenzie cross was stabbed clear by Charlie Campbell straight to Grant and the 28 year old side footed the ball into the bottom corner for his second goal of the afternoon.
Despite now boasting a two goal cushion, Hemel continued to threaten with a relentless red wave of attacks. Just past the hour mark Beeney had to make a smart save at his near post to keep out Hughes who had got in behind the Concord defence.
Unfortunately for Concord and for Beeney this save proved to be pointless as within two minutes Hemel had a third. The visitors could only clear a cross as far as Josh Williams and the Luton Town loanee drilled home a sweetly struck effort into the bottom corner that left Beeney with no chance. This strike was the Welshman's second in as many games.
Hemel were still looking to add to their tally as the game ticked into its final stages however Beeney did well to keep them at bay. With one minute left on the clock the former England Under 19 international got down well to parry away a Luke Holness attempt.
Defeat for the Beach Boys means they're now nine points from safety, however they do have six games in hand on Cheshunt in 20th. A loss also brings to an end Concord's three game unbeaten run on the road.
Three points for a Hemel side, who have only lost once on home turf in 2023, means they're now three games unbeaten. As well as this the Tudors are also six games unbeaten against Concord - not losing at home to the Beach Boys since 2015.
Rob Small's men are back in action on Tuesday night as Rangers embark on a midweek trip to Hampshire to take on playoff chasing Farnborough who won 1-0 at Hampton & Richmond Borough this afternoon.
Hemel Hempstead: King, McKenzie, J. Williams, Roberts, Hill, Ajayi, G. Williams, Morgan-Griffiths, Grant (Holness 56'), Hughes (Mukendi 79'), Castiglione (Bright 69')
Goals: Grant 25', 63', J. Williams 65'
Concord Rangers: Beeney, Thomas, Pollock, Beckett, Monville, Bettamer (Cutbush 70'), Modeste, Steward, Hudson, Ogunwamide (Hernandez 62'), Campbell (Manor 62')
Goals: N/A
By Nathan Williams
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