Amongst the Grays Ath squad are a number of ex-Maldon & Tiptree players; Tony Tucker, Grant Cooper and Joe Sweeney who all played against us last season at Rookery Hill, whilst Jack Haverson, Ronnie Jones and Dan Smith are players who have featured for both sides in recent years. In the home match last January, Cooper saw red, and from the resultant free kick Dean Pennant scored his first goal for the club. We were all set for the three points until Tony Tucker’s long clearance found Ollie Berquez free to volley home deep in stoppage time to secure a point for the away side.

TEAM NEWS
No details at present for The Blues.

Maldon & Tiptree’s leading scorer Sos Yao is suspended for the match as he is serving a four match ban for a red card at Brentwood Town. The striker, born in the Ivory Coast has scored 12 goals in 24 appearances this season.

FORM GUIDE
Grays Athletic: L W W L L D
Maldon & Tiptree: D W W L D L

LEAGUE POSITION

Depending on other results, Grays could climb as high as 3rd or drop to 8th. Maldon & Tiptree could climb one place to 16th.

MATCH FACTS
This is the 4th meeting between the two sides since Maldon Town merged with Tiptree United. Last season saw a 2-1 win away for Grays and a 1-1 draw here last January.

Grays won 3-1 at Maldon in November courtesy of goals from Lee Flynn, Danny Bunce (pen) and Joe Sweeney.

As separate clubs, Grays won three and lost once against Maldon Town, and won the only competitive fixture against Tiptree United; 5-0 in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round in September 1988.

MILESTONES
If he features, Jared Small (pictured) will make his 50th appearance for the club.

Joao Carlos has featured in every league match this season, 26 starts and 1 substitute appearance.