The teams met at the EMR stadium on 19th October when Grays ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a first half goal from Alej Machado and a very late Aron Gordon special.

This is Wanderers second season at Step 4 level, having risen quickly up the pyramid. Last season was one of consolidation with a focus on undertaking the works required to the GBS Stadium to achieve the ground grading for Step 4.

Grays did the double over the Wanderers last season. At the GBS Stadium, goals from Billy Crook, Codey Cosgrave (2) and Charlie Stimson gave Grays a 4-1 win, Wanderers reply coming from Rashid Salau. The return game at the EMR was on the final day of the season. An entertaining game finished 3-2. Grays took a 2-0 lead through a Charlie Stimson brace, before Wanderers responded firstly through Salau and then Jamal Goodward. The winner came in the 87th minute from a fine header by substitute Jack Wilson.

This season has been a very forgettable one, so far, for Wanderers. An opening day win at the EMR against newly promoted Tilbury and another win against the then high flying Basildon United, gave no indication of what was to follow; a remarkable run of 27 league games without a win, the low point probably being an 8-0 hammering at Brentwood Town.

This run unsurprisingly left Wanderers bottom of the table and almost certain relegation back to Step 5. However, in the last 3 games, things have turned for them. A crucial late equaliser at home to 2nd bottom Sporting Bengal was followed by that elusive win, again at home, this time to play off hopefuls, Brightlingsea Regent. On Saturday, once more at home, they overcame Maldon & Tiptree 3-1.

How Wanderers must have wished that this change of fortune had come earlier in the season when the gap to safety was smaller. As it stands, they remain in last place with 20 points from 34 games played. They are 13 points from safety with 8 games to play and a game in hand over Haringey Borough, Newmarket Town and Wroxham.

It is still a very tall order but they do have winning momentum and they have to play Newmarket and Wroxham at home and Basildon away. If they could pull it off, it really would be the greatest of escapes.

Wanderers did have some success thus season in Cup competitions. In the F.A.Cup, Wanderers beat Thetford Town and Downham Town before losing out to Newmarket Town. A good win against Gorleston in the F.A.Trophy, gave them a tie away to Grays's conquerors, Hadley, which was lost 4-1. The club do not appear to have entered the Velocity Trophy and lost on penalties to Step 2 Needham Market in the Suffolk Senior Cup Quarter Finals.

Wanderers are managed by Michael Brothers who took over from Glenn Driver in November. Michael was first team coach at Braintree Town, helping them to promotion from National League South last season.

Unsurprisingly, given the teams respective histories, there are very few players who have played for both sides. Ipswich Town legend Jason Dozzell had a short spell at The Rec in 2002/03, as the then new manager, Mark Stimson, brought in some high profile names in a bid to find the winning formula. Jason went on to become player manager of the Wanderers for 3 years. This season, former Blues defender, "Ozzy" Adeniji played 9 times for the Wanderers.

Getting There

The postcode for the GBS Stadium is IP4 3NR.

By car take the A12 to the A14 junction and then either follow the A1214 Ring Road to East Ipswich, or follow the A14 East over the Orwell Bridge and then the A12 to the Martlesham roundabout and then go West on the A1214.
Take the turning onto Playford Road (opposite the entrance for Rushmere Golf Club) and then left into Humber Doucy Road. The ground and car park are on the right.

By public transport, take the Liverpool Street line to Ipswich Station and catch either the 66 or 66A Mainline bus service. The nearest bus stop is near the Playford Road junction. The ground is a couple of minutes walk from here.

This game has taken on a new complexion since the originally scheduled date, with Ipswich now having more self belief; they have 8 Cup finals to try and save themselves from the drop. For Grays, the team have dug deep to win 7 points out of 9. Players have gone through the pain barrier for the club and no doubt we'll be down to the bare bones again on Tuesday.

However, the connection between players and supporters is stronger than ever. Support has been excellent this season, and especially so on the road. It's a long journey on a Tuesday evening, but this will be ultra competitive and we need our 12th man more than ever, so hopefully as many as possible can make the game to cheer our boys on.

Come on you Blues!