On Wednesday evening, Grays welcome Newmarket Town to the EMR for a 2nd Round Velocity Cup game. Kick off is 7.45pm. Given the amount of recent rain, there will be a precautionary pitch inspection on Wednesday lunchtime. Look out for announcements on the usual socials.

Grays are entering the Velocity Cup (the Isthmian League Cup for the Alan Turvey Trophy) at this stage. The Jockeys have already played in the 1st Round and galloped away with their tie at AFC Sudbury, 4-0. The winners of our tie will travel to either Redbridge or Southall, who play on Monday 9th November.

Our last meeting was on 3rd October at Newmarket's Tristel Global Stadium when we were given a lesson in football on the 3G surface. First half goals from Elliott Reeves (2) and Ryan Cole from the spot, put The Jockeys in command and they could afford to ease off a little in the second half. Even so they added to their tally with a strike from Taylan Kilinc and ran out comprehensive 4-0 winners.

Newmarket are certainly up there with Hashtag United and from Step 3, Leiston, as the best teams we have faced so far this season.

Our head to head record is now P6 W2 D1 L3 GF 6 GA 10.

Michael Shinn is Newmarket's manager and is heading toward 10 years in charge. In this time he has masterminded their promotion to the Isthmian League and after survival in their first season, an improvement last year to mid table. This season has seen The Jockeys surprise many and they now appear to be genuine contenders for the title.

Last time out, on Saturday, Newmarket had a long journey to play Faversham Town in North Kent in the 1st Round of the FA Trophy, at the appropriately named Aquatherm Stadium (more Aqua than Therm on Saturday no doubt). The game was played in stormy conditions with the decisive goal coming in the first half from Ryan Cole. This win means The Jockeys have reached the 2nd Round of the Trophy for the first time in their history. The draw has given them a home tie with the team currently in 2nd place in National North, Oxford City, with the winners progressing to the last 32. Good luck to The Jockeys in a competition that is so close to our hearts.

That win over The Liilywhites stretched their unbeaten run to 13 games (and just 1 loss now in 19), going all the way back to early September. They have only tasted defeat three times this season and their two losses in the league came in their first two games.

For Blues, it was important we backed up the win over Walthamstow with victory at lowly Lowestoft and we got that and then some. An attacking line up was too much for The Trawlerboys and we led 3-0 at half time. The second half was more of the same with 3 more goals and in truth, there should have been more. Ayaz Kazi also made a couple of good saves to preserve a clean sheet, our first in the league this season. Our goals came from Matt Price (2), Brandon Adams (2), Sam Wade and an OG. So, a 6-0 win, our first ever in the league at Crown Meadow and our first away win this season. Job done.

Summary

Clearly we do not know which side either manager is going to be able to put out. Newmarket will want to keep their bandwagon rolling and it could well be a strong line up we face on Wednesday. Interim Grays manager, Lewis Clark will no doubt have one eye on Saturday's home league game with AFC Sudbury, where we have the opportunity to build more momentum.

Please come and give the boys your support. This should be a tough challenge against an opponent in top form.

Come on The Ath!