Time to burn off the Christmas calories with a vigorous afternoon of Premier Division football at Champion Hill as Grays come to town.

We cannot guarantee the stuffing or even a bit of a roast but make no “sprout” about it; we do not expect a turkey!

Like the Hamlet Grays surprised a few of the pundits with a storming start to the season, winning their first four games before that streak was brought in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 drubbing away to Essex rivals East Thurrock United. Next up were the Hamlet, Grays again unable to find the net but perhaps better satisfied with a point after a goalless stalemate that left Gavin Rose and the lads more than a tad disappointed.

September began with a tough test at home to relegated Billericay but again the Gravelmen proved worthy of their place at the Isthmian League’s top table though they were left feeling the draw was more two points dropped rather than a single one gained. Despite holding the whip hand for much of the afternoon the Blues found themselves ruing a succession of missed chances as Billericay punished poor defending to snatch a draw with a quarter hour left on the clock. A trip to one of the title favourites, Kingstonian, was next up but despite bagging an early goal thanks to Chuck Duru's 13th minute opener Grays were pegged back on the stroke of halftime as Andre McCollin's header on proved the precursor for a remarkable second half solo show from the striker. McCollin was on fire in the second adding three more outstanding goals - one a set piece, one an individual run from the half way line, the other a wonderful team move - an impressive win for the Ks that kept them top of the table.

With a long midweek trip up to Lowestoft Town, another of the preseason bookies bankers for promotion, doughty Grays fans musty have feared the worst but their team proved up to the task coming away with a battling 2-2 draw to get their season back on track just as the wheels threatened to falling off the bandwagon.

Cups began to intermingle with league games as the fixture list conspired to keep Grays at “home” and they made the best of that advantage progressing past Romford and Tilbury in the FA Cup before surprisingly exiting at the hands of Southern League Division One Central Daventry Town. The dismissal of centre forward Jack West after 31 minutes did little to help their cause, a second half blitz doing for the Gravelmen as the Northants club advanced. In the league Grays suffered a similar tonking after a brace of encouraging wins, beating Margate 3-0 in a controversial match with West bagging a late double, though all the talk at the final whistle was of a nasty challenge that left ‘Gate ‘keeper Craig Holloway with a gruesome gash to his face from an errant boot. Less controversy and a lot more excitement in midweek as Bury Town came within a whisker of eradicating 4-1 deficit at the Mill Field with two goals in the last ten minutes only for Grays to hang on for the points. They would have their revenge later when the two were drawn together in the FA Trophy. However before then Grays entertained highflying AFC Hornchurch in the league, a match that proved a bridge too far as the visitors had two goals in the bag by the quarter hour, eventually running out rampant 5-1 winners. Defeats at Wealdstone and Canvey Island saw Grays slip off the pace in the Ryman League but the Trophy proved a welcome distraction with wins on the road over Herne Bay (after a replay) and Enfield Town setting up a rematch with Bury. An early third minute penalty gave the Norfolk side the advantage before Joao Carlos levelled matters but Bury were in an unstoppable mood, running riot in the second half to end Grays’ dreams with a 5-1 victory.

Girding their loins in the wake of that rout, Grays rebounded with a run of five games unbeaten, progressing to the fourth round of Robert Dyas Cup, where landlords Aveley await, with a penalty shootout win away to Tilbury and a 2-0 victory on the road at Romford. In the league the visit of the Met Police ended with honours even after a scoreless stalemate but impressive back-to-back 2-0 wins away to Hampton and Richmond and at home to Harrow Borough helped pull the club further out of the tentacles of the relegation trap. However, that threat was awakened as veteran sharpshooter Jefferson Louis bagged a brace for Hendon in 3-1 at the Mill Field, the defeat compounded by the dismissal of custodian Lamar Johnson that will see him miss this afternoon’s encounter. Things went from bad to worse as a trip to Leiston ended in a 4-1 defeat.

Since that game on the 14th December, Grays have been without a game with homes games against Lewes and Bognor Regis lost to the weather. The postponements have also hit manager Glen Kirby’s squad selection with goalkeeper Lamar Johnson, goal-scoring midfield Joao Carlos and striker Jack West all forced to sit out this afternoon’s encounter.

This afternoon’s game kicks-off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from 12.45pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. As a healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the rush late and relax. Before the game enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Special deals for Crystal Palace and Millwall fans – click here for more information.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £1.50