Match Preview

On Bank Holiday Easter Monday, Grays Athletic, like all clubs at this time of year, face a quick turn around back into league action. After Saturday’s fine 2-0 win away at Gorleston, Blues face another tricky encounter at home to local neighbours Bowers & Pitsea.

Following relegation last season, Bowers are looking to make an immediate return back to the Premier Division and have been amongst the front-runners all year. They currently sit fourth in the table, with a nine point gap back to sixth. Three more wins should guarantee their place in the end-of-season playoffs.

The visitors are on a good run of form, with five straight wins (excluding their abandoned game at Brentwood), the latest of which was a 3-2 win against New Salamis, with two goals from TQ Addy and another from leading marksman Matt Price.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season, was another bank holiday affair, on Boxing Day, when Bowers & Pitsea ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at the Len Salmon Stadium, with goals from Price, Ben Willaimson and ex-Blues favourite Geoffrey Okonkwo, rubbing salt in the wound for the travelling Blues faithful.

The Blues three points at the weekend ensure mathematical safety from relegation, always a moment for a collective sigh of relief. Grays themselves now have three wins in their last four games, each achieved with the bonus of a clean sheet.

So two sides both on their game at present, with the visitors in need of the points to maintain their promotion push.

Kick-off is at 3pm at the EMR Stadium, Tilbury.

Come on You Blues !