The rolling hills of Thurrock await as Dulwich return to Aveley to pit their wits against fellow pacesetters, Grays Athletic.

Champions of the North take on the Champions of the South in the game of the day this Bank Holiday Monday with both sides looking to snatch top spot should Kingstonian slip up at home to Hampton & Richmond Borough. Still smarting from a 3-0 reverse away to East Thurrock on Saturday that ended the Blues 100% start to the season and knocked the Essex boys from the perch at the top of table, Grays will be in no mood to roll over and let their tummies be tickled in their own backyard. Indeed Saturday’s comprehensive turning over by their erstwhile landlords, the Rocks, down the road in Corringham should in no way distract from a stunning record of late that reads 27 wins, a single draw, and a trio of defeats in 31 league outings, from the last 39 in all competitions 32 wins, 3 draws, and 4 defeats.

It was that astounding run of results, combined with a steady collapse of onetime runaway leaders Maldon & Tiptree that allowed the Blues eat away their Essex rivals seemingly insurmountable advantage to clinch last season’s Division One North title with breath to spare. With a paltry 4 league reverses, and a breath-taking run of results in the latter half of the season bringing with it 18 straight league victories, the Club still had three matches left to play when the title was claimed eventually clocking up more than a century of points as glory days of yore were evoked once. Two days after the title was secured, the side had the chance to complete an impressive double but fell just short going down 2-1 in the Essex Senior Cup final against AFC Hornchurch. In front of a four-figure crowd at Dagenham and Redbridge the Conference South strugglers produced a classy performance to thwart Grays in what was the 120th edition of the venerable competition.

However, barely before the last champagne bubble had popped, Grays found themselves without a home once more and soon without a manager too. Having moved from East Thurrock to a new temporary home, the former Ford Sports Ground in Rush Green, Romford, in partnership with West Ham United, seen the ground and its facilities improved, with the pitch maintained to Premier League standard by the Hammers wandering Grays believed they had found somewhere where they could put down roots as search for a long-term permanent base continued. However, their partner had other ideas and Grays were back on the move once more, this time to Aveley’s Mill Field as the Millers stepped to prevent the Blues becoming homeless once more. Despite the speedy resolution that allowed Grays to take their place in the Isthmian League for this current campaign it still must have been a distressing time for all those Blues fans who dipped into their pockets and through the tears and toil, sweating blood to bring Rush Green up to standard, seemingly all for naught.

Then came a further blow when, with the first preseason game just a week away, Hakan Heyrettin shocked the club by announcing that he was off to Luton Town to take up a post as Assistant Manager alongside his old friend John Still at the Hatters. The club moved swiftly to pass the baton to seasoned defender Ryan Kirby with Lee Flynn as his number two, the new management steering the club through an interesting preseason that including a brace of double figure victories, 10-0 away to Harold Hill (whether Harold had anyone to help him, we are not told) and by a similar score at home to 3 Para in match for the Help for Heroes charity.

Some felt that those friendlies had not been strenuous workouts, but when the games began in earnest Grays proved themselves ready, getting off to the perfect start with an assured 3-0 victory away to a much-fancied Bognor Town despite the absence through injury of their midfield, and former Hamlet hero, Kenny Beaney. A second victory followed in a midweek at Grays’ new adopted home, a battling ne’er-say-die performance against Leiston who twice fell behind, twice levelled before finally succumbing to Joao Carlos’ 86th minute winner. Carlos was weaving his magic the following Saturday, his trickery setting up the opening goal for Jared Small’s tap in as Grays soaked up the pressure from visiting Enfield Town making it nine points out of nine as Jack West added a second for a 2-0 victory. Welcoming back Beaney in the engine room, Grays kept up their winning start as Wingate and Finchley became their fourth victims out of four, beaten 3-1 on their own manor. However all good things must come to an end and so it proved on Saturday as Stuart Thurgood’s goal on the stroke of halftime proved the catalyst for a dominant second half performance from East Thurrock, epitomised by David Bryant’s double, allowed Kingstonian to creep above the Blues into top spot.

Key among the Grays squad will be the aforementioned Kenny Beaney who swept the board at last season’ Blues awards ceremony picking up won Players’ Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year And Manager’s Player Player of the Year in his second spell with the Club, having re-joined in the summer of 2011 following 2½ years at Thurrock. The battling central midfielder first made a name for himself in the Dulwich Hamlet Youth Team before graduating to the senior squad. A short loan spell at Wealdstone followed before he made the very short move to Fisher Athletic in 2007 following Wayne Burnett’s appointment there. When Burnett took up the Grays hot seat Beaney was one of the first names on his shopping list but it was not a happy time and after just two appearances he was released by the troubled Conference club. A short spell with Kent Premier League side Beckenham Town followed before he made the move to Ship Lane and Thurrock in December of 2008.

Another familiar face, though not in a familiar position, will be Junior Baker. Now playing in the heart of defence after a damascene conversion in his time at Tilbury, Baker was more often used in an offensive role under Craig Edwards with memories of his exuberant celebrations after snatching a second half equaliser on a rainy afternoon in Eastbourne still etched in the memory. Despite his defensive duties, Baker has become something of a cult hero amongst the Grays faithful popping up with a full sack of vital goals in the title-winning season, including a dazzling overhead match-winner late in the game at Redbridge.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Mill Field, Mill Road, Aveley, Essex, RM15 4SJ. Directions to the ground and travel advice for those using public transport can be found on the Grays Athletic site by clicking here. An alternative to the 372 bus is to take the train to Dartford and pick up a taxi from there though please bear in mind if taking this option that there may be delays due to Bank Holiday shoppers visiting Lakeside.

ADMISSION PRICES

• Adult (20-64) - £10
• OAP (65+) - £6
• Student (14-19) - £6
• Junior Blue (under 14) - £1