This weekend, on Sunday afternoon, Grays Athletic are back in FA Cup action, looking to get a run going in the premier knock-out competition, something that has eluded the club for some years now.

After the 5-1 defeat of Hullbridge Sports in the Extra-Preliminary Round a fortnight ago, we now face another Essex derby against our old friends from Witham Town, who had a 2-1 win against Hertford Town, in a match that finished 10-a-side.

Witham also started their 24/25 league campaign off in fine style last weekend with a 3-0 away victory at Brightlingsea Regent, with goals from Callum Fitzer, Deese Kasinga Madia and a late penalty by former Blue, Josh Osude.

Last season, Witham Town had a good run in the FA Cup, with victories against St Panteleimon (after a replay), Stanway Rovers and Kirkby & Pakefield - before, not surprisingly, succumbing to the eventual Premier DIvision champions, Hornchurch, in the Second Qualifying Round.

This almost matched the club’s best ever performance in the competition back in 1998/99, when the Third Qualifying Round was reached for the one and only time.

In the Extra-Preliminary Round, two weekends ago, four teams - Cleethorpes Town, Merstham, Wythenshawe Town and Fairford Town - each netted seven times. Whilst the biggest crowd was an amazing 912 at Beverley v Whitley Bay.

Our fixture is just one of 136 in this round, with participants stretching the length and breadth of the country - from Mousehole in the far south west of Cornwall, to Penrith on the Scottish border. What a brilliant competition it is - and shame on those few “big” clubs who treat it with utter disrespect and disdain.

The winners of this tie receive £1,444 in prize money, to add to the £1,125 for success in the last round, plus a guaranteed £750 for the next one. Today’s losers pocket £481.

Grays could certainly do with a decent cup run this season, after the disappointments of recent years in this competition. Let’s hope for another spirited performance.

The game takes place omn Sunday 18th August, 3pm kick off at the EMR Stadium, St Chad’s Rd Tilbury RM18 8NL.

Come on you Blues !