On Wednesday 14th October, Grays take a break from league action, to host National League side, Hornchurch FC in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

We understand from Hornchurch that they will be resting their first team, as they have an important game on Saturday away to Southern League Premier South side, Uxbridge in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Therefore we will be playing against a team composed of Academy players and U18's.

We met The Urchins in the 4th Round of last season's Senior Cup, at Bridge Avenue, when they won 4-0, thanks to goals from Myles Weston, Charlie Ruff, a George Marsh own goal and Darren McQueen. They then lost in the next round, away at Hashtag United.

That result brings the head to head record in competitive games between Grays and Hornchurch (including their time as AFC Hornchurch) to P18 W8 D3 L7 GF 23 GA 28. Within those results were 4 games in the Senior Cup with our visitors leading 3 wins to 1.

Last season was a triumph for Hornchurch as they gained promotion to the National League following a 2nd place finish in National South. They then beat Weston Super Mare and Torquay United in the play offs to reach the highest level of non league football.

This season, The Urchins are more than holding their own. They sit in 9th place with 21 points from 13 games played. This puts them 2 points away from the final play off spot. When you look at some of the teams below them in the table you can see what a fantastic job Hornchurch are doing.

Manager Daryl McMahon, who led them to promotion last season, has overseen a move this season to full time football. The club are also working with Havering Council to achieve the ground grading required for Step 1 football, at the Hornchurch Stadium (Bridge Avenue).

Although he will not be appearing for The Urchins in our cup tie, one ex Grays player is in their 1st team squad; Nathan Ferguson who played 33 times for us, with 1 goal, in seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16, before going on to a career in the professional game and representing Guyana (11 caps and 1 goal to date).

In Blues squad could be former Hornchurch players, Jordan Clarke and Ollie Muldoon.

This should be a good game for The Blues and a chance to test ourselves against very good young players who will be wanting to impress. There is a big league clash coming up on Saturday against Canvey Island, so a win on Wednesday would do wonders for our confidence as we approach that game.

Please come down to the EMR to support us as we seek to make progress in the Senior Cup.

Come on You G's!