Grays Athletic FC

Hakan Hayrettin’s team will be looking to put their disappointing home form behind them, and instead continue their fine run away from home, and follow up their two recent wins at Great Wakering Rovers and Cheshunt. Tilbury go into the game having lost 3-0 at Harlow Town last Saturday, but have won their last three at home; a run which includes a 2-1 win against Enfield Town.

Grays go into the game with the best away record in the league, having picked up 27 points on their travels, whilst Tilbury boast the second best home record; 30 points from a possible 39. The Dockers’ only home league defeat came back in September as they lost 3-1 to Heybridge Swifts, whilst our two defeats on the road came at Needham Market and leaders Enfield Town.

Tilbury have had the better of the recent league fixtures between the two sides, and since we dropped back to this level, they have won two of the three fixtures played, with our sole success in August 2010, winning an exciting game 3-1. Paul Vaughn’s team have won the last two matches 3-2 on New Year’s Day 2011, and 3-1 at Rookery Hill in October of last year. We have to go back to March 1986 for our last league victory at Chadfields, as we won 2-1 in the Isthmian League Division One, courtesy of goals from Ian Cowell and Neville Watson.

Lee Flynn’s injury again keeps him out, whilst the manager awaits news on the fitness of a couple of other players before he knows his starting line-up. Junior Baker is expected to be in the starting line-up, and he enjoyed a successful time with Tilbury, winning the League Cup in 2009. Lining up for Tilbury should be Joe Nightingil, Eljay Worrell and Emil Aiken who have all enjoyed recent spells with The Blues. Two other ex-Blues, Tom Harvey and Stephen Demetriou haven’t featured for the opposition since November.

Elsewhere in the league, leaders Leiston host Heybridge Swifts, second placed Enfield Town head to Potters Bar Town, whilst Needham Market head to Soham Town Rangers.

Brentwood Town v Ware
Cheshunt v AFC Sudbury
Great Wakering Rovers v Ilford
Leiston v Heybridge Swifts
Maldon & Tiptree v Harlow Town
Potters Bar Town v Enfield Town
Redbridge v Waltham Abbey
Romford v Chatham Town
Soham Town Rangers v Needham Market
Tilbury v Grays Athletic
Waltham Forest v Thamesmead Town