On Tuesday evening, Grays Ath take on what is probably, at the moment, the most challenging assignment of the season - a trip to Suffolk, to take on league leaders Felixstowe & Walton.

Having just missed out on promotion to the Premier League in each of the past three season, the Seasiders are doing their best this time round to gain top spot and an automatic path up the pyramid.

In one sense, Blues’ task is a daunting one - Felixstowe’s thirteen league games have produced twelve wins and a draw - with only Brightlingsea Regent returning home with a point. Similarly, Ipswich Wanderers are the one side who have stopped the Seasiders from scoring at least twice in every one of those games (even the draw was a 3-3 !).

Having said all of that, the records were almost re-written last Saturday, when only two late goals from Jack Ainsley and Charlie Warren, rescued a victory against Sporting Bengal - so there is always hope ! Their only recent defeat came in early January away at Bury Town.

The aforementioned Warren has been on fire all season - starting with a hat-trick in the opening fixture against Newmarket and currently having 26 goals in all competitions.

Last season, the Seasiders did the double over the Blues. In October, they took a 3-0 victory back to Suffolk from Essex at a time when Grays were singularly failing to fire. The return fixture in February was a much tighter affair, only decided with virtually the final kick of the game, when Joshua Mayhew scored to make it 3-2, Blues having twice been in the lead, through goals from Charlie Stimson and Codey Cosgrove.

Since our first encounter in 2018, the score between our two sides is five victories each, with just one draw back in 2019.

Blues performances of late have been much better than the scorebook shows - with only one point from two fine showings last week, away at Waltham Abbey and Witham Town a disappointing return. The travelling faithful will no doubt be present as usual to cheer the lads on regardless.

The game is scheduled for a 7.45 kick-off on Tuesday evening at the Seasiders’ Martello Ground, Dellwood Avenue, Felixstowe IP11 9HT

Come on you Blues