Our final home league game last season was against the same opponents. It was our annual Community Fun Day and a good crowd settled down to watch an important game, with both teams in a battle at the wrong end of the table.

In that game, Lowestoft opened the scoring through Aaron Bullent 's header in the first half and doubled their lead in the second period thanks to Kyle Haylock. At this point Grays got on the front foot and pressed forward, reducing the deficit through substitute Caiden Ellis Remy Dee, but were unable to find the equaliser that would have mathematically ensured survival. That prize was earned by The Trawlerboys, who finished the season top of the form table, with 5 wins from their last 6 games.

The reverse fixture was played at Crown Meadow, Lowestoft, back in November, with the hosts easing to a comfortable 3-0 win with 2 goals from Bullent and 1 from Norwich City loanee, William Unadike.

Head to Head Record

The two games last season added to Lowestoft's excellent record against The Blues. In league games we have met one another on 10 occasions with a record from our perspective of W1 D2 L7 Goals For 10 Goals Against 22. Worse still, we drew the first two league games, so we have lost 7 of the last 8.

However, our first ever meeting was in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round, way back in 1991, played at Crown Meadow. On that occasion, it was The Blues who won, 2-1, thanks to a brace from Winston Whittingham.

We are long overdue a win over our guests from the Sunrise Coast, but I'm sure they will want to keep their record against us going, so it should be a competitive opening match.

Lowestoft's Close Season

It is common knowledge that Lowestoft have had to press the financial reset button since their days at Step 2 and Step 3.

They lost their two goalscorers from the game at the EMR last season, Bullent and Haylock to local rivals, Gorleston, but secured Robert Eagle as player manager for this season. It was his appointment that galvanised the team, with a big improvement in results. A strong core of players from last season have stayed loyal to The Trawlerboys including Supporters Player of the Season, goalie, Ben Self, and Managers Player of the Season, Mitch Belmar.

They have added Jack Herbert from Great Yarmouth Town and Benji Blyth from Diss Town.

The Trawlerboys have also launched a Scholarship Programme building on previous initiatives to identify and nurture young talented players in their area and give them an improved pathway to first team football, and hopefully it will be a move that pays dividends for them.

The Trawlerboys Manager

Robert Eagle had a good career as a professional, breaking through at Norwich City (10 apps, 1 goal), before moving on to Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Grimsby Town. In the non league game, Rob made over 200 appearances for Lowestoft in 3 spells and more than 100 for Leiston in 2 spells.

Rob is assisted by Don Goffin, a coach with a CV that includes time at Juventus; I'm guessing that must be a unique claim to fame for Isthmian North!

Last Time Out

Lowestoft were handed a really tough draw in the Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, hosting one of the favourites for our league, Cambridge City. Despite going down early, Lowestoft equalised through Kyle Baker to go in at half time, all square. The Lilywhites then took a grip of the match in the second half, going on to win 4-1 and earn a home tie with AFC Sudbury in the Preliminary Qualifying Round.

For The Blues, we started our FA Cup campaign against Hilltop FC at Hendon's Silver Jubilee Park ground. The game was very open, with a lot of attacking football from both sides. In the end we came through with a good 5-1 win thanks to goals from Alex Moss, Ned Hepburn (2), Gabriel Chapps and Gael Kileba. It was a very good team performance with everyone, starters and finishers playing their part. One post-match highlight was the inclusion of one of Ned's goals in the FA's video showreel - and what a great team goal it was. Credit also to Hilltop who really went for it and caused us problems with their enterprise and skill.

Following a midweek replay, we now know that in the Preliminary Qualifying Round, we will be travelling to Billericay to face Essex Senior League side, Hutton FC, on the weekend of 22nd/23rd August.

Whilst we were in Cup action, the Isthmian North league programme got underway with 3 games. Redbridge have clearly acquired well and put in a powerful attacking display at home to Felixstowe and Walton, winning 4-1. Redbridge's new tenants, Hashtag United, similarly enjoyed the trip to AFC Sudbury, coming away with a 3-0 win. Finally, Gorleston who went so close to the play offs last term, will be delighted to have got off the mark with a 2-1 win at Canvey Island.

Summary

Many of us are thinking that this season could be more open; yes there are several clubs who will have claims to be amongst the front runners, but it really comes down to who can find consistency and have their fair share of luck in avoiding injuries to key players. Remember, this season has seen a change, with the teams finishing in 6th and 7th places also qualifying for the end of season play offs, so its all to play for.

One added factor, at least in the early season, will be the condition of grass pitches across the league after such an incredibly long and hot summer. On some of the pitches it will be very difficult for any team to play their best football, but we can't control the conditions, so we just have to knuckle down and get on with it. It's a long season and the successful sides will be the ones who find a way to cope the different conditions.

Elsewhere today there are some good match up's with Gorleston hosting Redbridge, Cambridge City welcoming Canvey Island and new boys, Fakenham Town, opening their campaign at home to Walthamstow.

So, this is an important game for both sides who want to get off to a fast start to help banish memories of last season's struggles. Let's see if we can back up our win the FA Cup with the big "W" in the League. It will be great to see you at the EMR on Saturday, giving your fantastic support as always.

Up The Ath!