Match Preview

In a pre-Christmas special, Grays Athletic are lined up to play Concord Rangers on Friday 23rd December in the 4th Round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup. The game is due to take place at Concord’s Thames Rd ground on Canvey Island.

Concord were only formed in 1967, as a boys team in the Thundermite league. They are probably the only team in the country named after a beach, originally playing games on a pitch by Concord Beach on Canvey. After a decade or so, they moved to Saturday football, playing at Waterside Sports Centre, then in 1985 moving to their current home at Thames Avenue.

The club has a reputation for being great overachievers - no bad thing in itself. After 17 years in the Essex Senior League promotion to the Isthmian League was secured in 2008, under the management of Danny Cowley (also reaching the quarter final of the FA Vase that same year). Quick promotions followed into the Isthmian Premier Division and then into Conference South, an incredible achievement. There were also two County Cup wins and an appearance in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup and in 2020 an FA Trophy final. Their position in Step 2 was maintained until the end of last season, with relegation back to the Isthmian Premier Division.

This season has seen further struggles for the Beach Boys, the current league table sees them sitting bottom, with three wins to their name, including an encouraging 4-1 victory over Lewes, but several games in hand on the teams above them.

Perhaps surprisingly our two clubs have never met in a league encounter at any level. Our only engagements have been two friendlies and five previous ties, like this one, in the County Cup - with three victories for the Blues, one for Concord and one draw. We met at this stage of the competition last season, with Grays winning 3-1, with Blues goals from Callum Watts, Rob Clark and Troy Osei-Bobie. But then we were removed from the competition by the county FA. So maybe there are scores to settle on both sides. The chance for silverware is always attractive, so expect a competitive game.

Come on You Blues.