GRAYS Athletic delivered a 5-0 friendly thrashing to Peterborough United on Tuesday night.

It was another fillip to the Conference side who are sky high after their unbeaten opening to their season.

Blues boss Mark Stimson was full of praise for the way his boys took on the League side and performed in the friendly.

Jamie Slabber was responsible for a brace against the Posh team which included first team players. Other goals on Tuesday evening came from Aaron McLean and Bertie Brayley.

Grays travel to Tamworth on Saturday and host Cambridge United on Tuesday. And Stimson has acknowledged that both games are likely to be hard ones as everyone in the Conference sets their sights on humbling the new boys.

"We know that these will be two tough games with two physical sides. Although our confidence is high we know that if we switch off we will be punished. But the lads know when to concentrate and when to enjoy it. At the moment we don't have any injury concerns and everyone is fine, but there is still training at the end of this week so we will have to see how this goes."

Stimson also took time to applaud the record levels of support that Grays are getting at present -something that the manager knows is playing a big part in the team's success. He said: "If we keep performing on the pitch I believe that the fans will keep coming in numbers."

Other football action in the borough over the next few days sees Conference South Thurrock play host to Sussex side Lewes at Ship Lane on Saturday.

Thurrock enjoyed a 3-2 friendly win against East Thurrock on Tuesday at Rookery Hill, with bosses Colin McBride and Lee Patterson pleased with the way their sides performed.

'Fleet's Ronnie Fletcherhas moved to Maidenhead and Martyn Lawrence has gone to Great Wakering Rovers, both on a short term deals.

McBride said: "This is mainly to give Ronnie and Martyn some games , they will be back with us soon."

In the Ryman Premier Rocks travel to meet Wealdstone at Northwood on Saturday and on Tuesday Rocks will be visited by fellow mid-tablers Slough Town. Struggling Southern League Division One side Aveley host Enfield at Mill Field. This will be a tough home test for the Millers who have failed to make much impact in the early games of the season and who already are in the bottom three. On Wednesday Millers travel to Potters Bar Town for their opening match in the Southern League Cup.

In the Essex Senior League Tilbury are away - but at home, as they face their tenants Eton Manor at Chadfields. Though they will be making use of the away dressing room, Tony Cross's side will be in confident mood after last Saturday' 8-1 win against London APSA, a side they met again at Chadfields next Tuesday in the Essex Senior League Cup.

Saturday, September 17

3pm kick-off

Nationwide Conference

Tamworth v Grays Athletic

Conference South

Thurrock v Lewes

Ryman Premier

Wealdstone v East Thurrock

Southern League Div One East

Aveley v Enfield

Essex Senior League

Eton Manor v Tilbury

Tuesday September 20

7.45pm kick-off

Nationwide Conference

Grays v Cambridge United

Ryman Premier League

East Thurrock v Slough

Essex Senior League Cup

Tilbury v London APSA

Wednesday, September 21

Southern League Cup

Potters Bar v Aveley