After the very unsatisfactory postponement on New Year’s Day, Grays Athletic look to get back to action this weekend with a trip up the A12 to league leaders, Felixstowe & Walton.

The Seasiders are currently on a fine run of form, unbeaten in the last fifteen league fixtures. Their last defeat came in mid-October away at Tilbury, when the Dockers won with an 89th minute goal. The only two other losses came against Brightlingsea and Witham Town. Not surprisingly, Felixstowe sit at the top of the “recent form” table, with seven wins and three draws in their last ten games. Having also lost their bank holiday fixture to the weather, Felixstowe’s last match was a 4-0 victory away at Suffolk rivals, Newmarket Town.

Top scorer this season is Charlie Warren, who already has an impressive 25 goals in all competitions. He will take some stopping on Saturday. Fourteen other players have also found the net, making Felixstowe, the division’s top scorers so far this season

Last season, Felixstowe completed the double over Blues. An October 3-0 defeat at Chadfields was followed by a much closer late-February encounter at the AGL Arena. Grays were twice in the lead, thanks to goals from Charlie Stimson and Codey Cosgrove, only for the Seasiders to pull back each time - and then in a bitter blow to Blues, an injury time goal from Joshua Mayhew sealed the win.

Grays are in a period of a squad mid-season refresher, with manager, Darren Manning, hoping that a couple of ins and outs will provide new impetus for the second half of the season. Recent results have not been what the fans wanted, but the last outing against Mildenhall was far more promising and the sense is that the side are not far away from the form shown during the excellent run in November.

Everyone will be aware of the weather warnings issued for this weekend, so there is the potential for further fixture disruption. Hopefully, the worst of the weather will hold off until after the game, but if necessary there will be a pitch inspection and announcement before the Blues coach is due to leave Grays at 11.15am. So, look out for postings on all the usual social media channels if things take a turn for the worst.

Kick-off is due at 3pm at Felixstowe’s ground, Dellwood Avenue, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 9HT

Come on you Blues