After two postponements, Grays hope to get back to action on Saturday 14th February, hosting Heybridge Swifts in what will be a crunch game for both clubs. Kick off at the EMR Stadium is 3pm. Although there has been some improvement this week, the pitch was flooded last week and only one midweek game in the Isthmian Leagues survived the weather, so a pitch inspection is going to be needed. As always, please keep checking our socials.

Our game at the EMR last season finished goalless, but it wasn't for the want of trying, with Swifts going closest to breaking the deadlock late in the second half.

The reverse fixture this season at the First Call Community Stadium, (Scraley Road), took place back in October. Adrian Whitbread had just taken temporary charge of the Swifts after a parting of the ways with Julian Dicks. As is often the way, the change galavanised the Heybridge players who deservedly took the 3 points, thanks to a second half goal from Andrew Fennell, set up by substitute and man of the match, Samuel Adeyeye. Blues performance on the day was frustrating and uninspired.

The head to head record against Heybridge in competitive games now stands at P37 W12 D7 L18. In league games only the head to head is P31 W10 D7 L14.

Heybridge's manager is Jason Maher who was appointed in November. He has previous management experience from his time at Saffron Walden Town, Coggeshall Town, Bowers and Pitsea, Welling United and Maldon and Tiptree, where he assisted Brett Munyard. He is assisted by Mark Hawkes who has managed at Swifts before.

Swifts have had a difficult season and visit us in 21st place with 23 points from 30 games played. They are 4 points away from safety but having played more games than most of the teams above them, they will need a good run of results to stay in Isthmian North next season. It is sad to see a good club with good people in this position, but as we know only too well, it is a competitive league where the margins are often small.

Heybridge appointed Jason Maher as manager in November. Jason has management experience from his time at Saffron Walden Town, Coggeshall Town, Bowers and Pitsea, Welling United and Maldon and Tiptree where he assisted Brett Munyartd. Jason was joined by the experienced Mark Hawkes as his assistant manager.

With the change of manager, there has been a fair turnover of players. Since our game in October, those departing include, Myles Anderson, Max Sherlock, Kian Cocking, Marcus Garnham, Rob Harvey, Michael Paton, Ellis Ashworth and Michael Clark. They have retained a strong core of players in skipper Conor Hogan, Samuel Adeyeye, Conor Witherspoon and Jack Adlington Pile.

Players who have joined Heybridge include Michael Salako, Ramiah Mills, Dominic Locke, Tommy Dixon-Hodge, "T" Akinbulumo, Lewis Jaggs, Timi Davies, Joe Babbage Josh Colyer, Josh Riza and two former Blues; Giani Ashley who played for us 16 times in 2023/24 and Jack Turner who also made 16 appearances for us, but this season. Finally, they recently signed their former youth team player, Tobias Braney, from our landlords, Tilbury.

For their recent win at Mildenhall Town, they welcomed back goalkeeper, Callum Chafer after a long period on the sidelines following a nasty injury.

Their top scorers this season have all found the net 4 times; Tom Richardson (all 4 goals in the league), Samuel Adeyeye (3), Jaxk Adlington-Pile (3), Andy Fennell (3) and Ben McCrow (3).

Swifts now have a squad that is good enough to avoid the drop, I guess it comes down to how quickly a new team can gel and develop the self belief needed to get on a roll. Whilst their recent results are patchy, there have been some promising performances in defeat. They only lost their derby against Maldon and Tiptree by a single goal, and were prasied for the quality of their football by leaders, Felixstowe, after losing to them 2-1.

Recent Form

Heybridge in their last 6 games have W1 L5 with goals for 6 and goals against 19. In their last 6 away games they have W1 L5 with goals for 2 and goals against 14. The two goals scored came in victory at Mildenhall Town, their first away win in the league this campaign.

Grays last 6 games have resulted in W2 D1 L3 with goals for 7 and goals against 9. In the last 6 home games the form is W3 L3 with goals for 9 and goals against 8.

Last Time

Heybridge's game away at Downham Town last Saturday beat the weather but the Swifts could not capitallise against the home team. Downham won 2-0, their second victory in the week, to leapfrog Swifts in the table as the race to beat the drop heats up.

Grays have had a fortnight's rest after the postponements against Witham and Wroxham. The Witham away game has been rescheduled for 3rd March, having been postponed on 3rd January and 3rd February.

Summary

With 12 games to go, Heybridge need to get a run together to climb away from danger. Whilst their recent results have not been great, they are very capable of getting out of trouble if things click. They do have a tough looking run in with their last 6 games including a derby against Maldon and Tiptree and games against 4 of the play off contenders.

Blues will hope to back up the important win at Brantham, with another three points at home. It's fair to say that most results went our way last Saturday and we need to take advantage of that good fortune now and start to build momentum before tough games away at Waltham Abbey and back at the EMR against Bowers.

Of course Saturday is Valentine's Day, so why not do something really special for the love of your life? If the game is on, bring them to the EMR to watch the game, buy them a programme, some raffle tickets and merchandise and they won't be able to stop thanking you. Game called off? No problem, how about a club membership, or a ticket in our Big Draw? Details are available on our website.

Come on You G's!