Match Preview

This preview is an update on the one published for the original fixture.

On Tuesday evening, Grays Athletic will hopefully return to league action, after a number of postponements. We travel up the A12 to league new boys, Ipswich Wanderers for the re-arranged fixture, called off before Christmas.

The Wanderers were only established in1980 as a boys team and played in the local Sunday league. By 1988, the club had progressed into adult football and joined the newly-formed division 1 of the Eastern Counties League. For many years, the Wanderers were something of a yo-yo club between the Premier and First divisions. A particular highlight though was in 2012 when the club lifted the county cup for the first time, with the final being played at Portman Road. There were also two FA Vase runs to the 5th round, and a famous FA Cup win in 2015 against Canvey Island.

Fortunes have turned significantly since the start of the 2020s. In 2021-22, Division 1 of the ECL was won with a barely believable run of 26 victories in all competitions, with the league title secured with a goal just 10 seconds from the end of the final game of the season ! A further promotion then led to the Wanderers taking their place in Isthmian Division 1 North for the first time this season. This is definitely a club on the up.

As a result of this history, our two clubs have never met, so this encounter will be a first for everyone, and another new ground for me to add to the list (and they are a rarity these days - but always a joy).

Ipswich Wanderers initially found life tough at this level, like us having to wait for that elusive first win. It arrived in mid-October rather surprisingly away at high-flying Lowestoft. A lack of any real cup run was also disappointing. A recent run of defeats was halted with a good win against Basildon last time out. So, this promises to be a tight night under the lights, with both sides desperate for the three points.

Come on you Blues !