On Friday 31st October, Grays head to Bowers and Pitsea for an Isthmian League clash. Kick off at the Dome Group Stadium (the new name for The Len Salmon) is 7.45pm.

As you may have seen, Bowers are offering free entry for anyone turning up in Halloween fancy dress! I don't think that just pretending to be a zombie counts, but you can try if you wish. Anyone hoping to ghost into the ground for free will be challenged, there will be more than a skeleton staff on duty....

Life for Bowers the last 3 seasons has been anything but dull; relegated from the Isthmian Premier in 22/23, promoted back via the playoffs in 23/24, then relegated again last season. Their supporters will be hoping that the sequence continues this season, but not the next.

Our last two meetings in the league were in Bowers promotion season. We met at the Len Salmon on Boxing Day 2023, with Matt Price converting early on, before Aron Gordon equalised with a special finish. The second half belonged to Bowers with Ben Williamson restoring their lead, before former Grays' favourite, Geof Okonkwo sealed the win.

In the return game at The EMR, Bowers completed the double with goals at the end of each half, another from that man Price and a second from former Blue, Chris Millar.

Our head to head record with Bowers is in their favour. In 10 competitive games, the record is W3 D1 L6. In League games we have only once in six, with Bowers winning four times with one draw.

There is a long list of players who have represented both clubs. Along with Geof Okonkwo and Chris Millar the list includes Calum Leahy, Lewis Clark, Tom Stagg, Malakai Toussaint, David Knight, Tony Stokes, Samir Ali, Dexter Peter, Luke Hirst, Ryan Richefond and Ryan Sammons.

Another current Grays player who played for Bowers is Oscar Shelvey Negus. Supporters will remember we met Bowers in the final of the Essex Thameside Trophy Final in 22/23. Bowers lost their goalkeeper Joseph Osaghae to injury early in the first half and without a recognised replacement on the bench, Oscar came on, donned the gloves for nearly 80 minutes and performed heroically in Bowers' 3-2 win.

Bowers suffered a tough season in 24/25 with relegation, finishing in 22nd place with just 26 points from their 42 games. Manager Sammy Moore left mid season to be replaced by Joint Mangers, Luke Wilson and Joe Flowers who stepped up from managing Essex Olympian League side Runwell Sports. Luke represented Bowers in their Essex Senior League days and was part of Rob Small's coaching team that saw Bowers promoted twice and reach the 1st Round proper of the F.A.Cup.

Close season saw a number of departures including TQ Addy moving to Welling United, Yannis Ambroisine left for Sittingbourne, David Hughes signed on at Walthamstow and Luke Reeve joined Tilbury. Igor Sani has gone to Canvey Island where he is joined by Max Fiddes on loan from Dover Athletic. Kacper Gruszczynski also went offshore, to Concord Rangers.

The club retained a core of experience in Joe Whitney, Kai Redgrave, Luca Albon, Quentin Monville, Joe Burton, Rene Batlowka and George Scales.

Incoming players included Jamie Salmon, returning after nearly 200 games for Canvey Island, Mikey Faulkener from Southend United, Alex Golder who played college football in the USA before a spell in the Welsh League and Elton Tettey who also played college soccer in the States followed by time with Frenford. Jimmy Wallace came in, having started the season with Tilbury.

More recently they re-signed Jacob Bland and also the well travelled Ross Wall who moved from Walthamstow. I've lost count of the number of clubs Ross has represented, (and scored for, against us). He played for Thurrock before their sad demise.

In the last few seasons teams relegated into Isthmian North have struggled to make an impression, Bowers being the exception in 23/24. I must confess that I thought this season would have to be one of consolidation for them, but so far they are proving me wrong.

They sit in 5th place with 23 points from 13 games and are the top scorers in the division. They are creating plenty of chances and in young Mikey Faulkener they have unearthed a gem. The winger who hails from Barking Abbey school, signed forms with Southend United, but after loans last season at Heybridge Swifts and Basildon United, was released in close season.

He has 14 goals this campaign, with 13 of those in the league and is the joint leading goalscorer in the division. He's also assisted on plenty of occasions and must be playing full of confidence. No doubt the scouts will be paying attention to his progress at The Dome Group Stadium.

In the cups they drew away at Takeley in the F.A.Cup Preliminary Qualifying Round before winning the replay. In the 1st Qualifying Round they lost at home to Hertford Town. They then suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss at home to Cambridge City in the 1st Qualifying Round of the F.A.Trophy. There was a further loss at home in the League Cup, 4-3 to Newmarket Town. Finally they tasted success in the 3rd Round of the Essex Senior Cup, sweeping aside hosts, Athletic Newham, by 6 goals to nil.

In the league they lost their opener at home to Downham Town, before three consecutive draws. They won their fifth game and stretched their unbeaten run to 11 league games, before losing their most recent game away to Gorleston, 1-0.

In the game at Gorleston, Bowers had a player sent off and The Greens coverted the subsequent penalty. In injury time it looked like Bowers had equalised from a George Scales free kick which struck the underside of the bar, with the goalkeeper reaching back to grab the ball. The referee and his assistant ruled that the ball had not crossed the line. Joint manager, Luke Wilson was then given his marching orders.

Grays have not played in the league since the defeat at Heybridge Swifts. However, a fine win over Southend United in the Senior Cup was followed by an encouraging display, albeit in defeat on penalties, to a very good Redbridge side in the League Cup on Monday.

Against Redbridge there were very promising debuts for Michael Bareck and Jack Stone, an impressive return to action for David Romer and Mackenzie Drew and more minutes for Ainsley Frempong and Freddie Price. It was good to see Elton Gjonbala and Alex Strugurean get on the pitch and dispatch their kicks so confidently in the shoot out. Finally a word for skipper for the night, Macca Joynes who captained the side really well, played left back, then right back for the second half and smashed his penalty home. (But sorry Macca, still doesn't mean you've actually scored for Grays !)

Playing away to Bowers will be a big test for the squad, but it's the type of challenge that we have relished in recent times, especially under the lights and on the 3G surface. With your support, who knows what's possible?

Getting There

The Dome Group Stadium is on Crown Avenue. The postcode is SS13 2BE.

Take the A13 to Pitsea and come off at the flyover. Take the 2nd exit at the first roundabout and turn right at the Pitsea Centre roundabout, signed for Eversley. Take the B1464 to the first mini roundabout and turn left into Rectory Road.

Go straight on at two more mini roundabouts and before the third, turn right into Kenneth Way. At the end of Kenneth Way turn right into Crown Avenue and the ground and sizeable car park are on the left.

Let's hope the game is Spook-tacular. We can't be sure witch side will win, but it will be a cauldron with ghouls aplenty. So blow away those cobwebs, give yourself a treat and enjoy a game under the lanterns. There may be grave consequences if you miss it; you may be haunted for some time.

Wooohooo-way the Ath!