TUESDAY’S MATCH PREVIEW – GRAYS ATHLETIC (AWAY) KICK-OFF 3.00 PM

Christmas time. Don’t stay Home Alone Dulwich fans, bring the Sound of Music or maybe the Grays Escape will be back on?

For your festive football feast the Mill Field could be the place to be as Dulwich Hamlet face up to a Grays Athletic side dreaming of a Winter Wonderland as they bid to escape the clutches of relegation’s bony fingers. Ensconced in the drop zine since a 6-1 demolition at Merstham’s Moatside Stadium deposited the Blues there back in earlier September, Grays recently discovered a hitherto unknown streak of superlative form. Having suffered a run of 11 games without a win, garnering just a single Ryman League point over that period and exiting both the FA Trophy, albeit after a replay with Wingate & Finchley, and the Essex Senior Cup in more ignominious fashion away to Barking, the tide turned and the mouse roared. That said, barring the 5-2 Essex Senior Cup humiliation at the hands of Essex Senior League leaders Barking and a league humbling at the hands of AFC Sudbury, defeats had often been wafer-thin. Their one point over the period had been gained against Leiston, erstwhile table toppers and possessed of one of the division’s most potent threats in front of goal.

The resurrection of Grays’s season seemed to coincide with the rebirth of the Blues as the reins of the club were passed into the hands of supporters. On the field Kingstonian were the first to feel the lash, the beating heart of Grays hopes resuscitated as if the jump leads had been applied to the nether parts. After half an hour at the Mill Field, Nathan Campbell found the back of the net and, though Bruce Hoggs cancelled that out just ten minutes later for the visitors, two minutes after the break Kieran Bishop sent the home faithful into ecstasy. Bishop’s match winning goal ensured gritty Grays recorded their first win since early October and seriously stymied the hopes of a K’s side still harbouring playoff ambitions.

Sometimes those in glasshouses should be careful where they cast their stones. With his Seagulls in a seeming death spiral towards the relegation places Canvey Island manager Danny Heale description of Grays as “well beatable” did not fall on deaf ears, least of all those of Grays Athletic head honcho Jamie Stuart. Indeed, it was Blues’ legend Stuart who led by example, his deflected strike putting Grays ahead 6 minutes before the break. With former Hamlet hero Terrell Forbes at the heart of the home defence, the Gulls were rendered toothless in attack. Four minutes from time the result was left in no doubt as Bishop scored his fourth goal in as many games to make it 2-0.

Back-to-back wins for the first time since when? Could it get any better? Could Grays slip the hangman’s noose? For those that travelling to Silver Jubilee Park from Essex expectations must have been high given their side’s renaissance combined with Hendon dismissal home form, still to win on home “turf” in the league. 12 minutes gone and the travellers were firmly in command, leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Lheureux Menga and newly re-signed Joao Carlos. Two second half goals from Bishop completed a stunning 4-0 victory, Grays biggest of the season so far. Those vital three points were enough to lift the Blues out of last place in the Premier Division table, a position they had occupied since early November.

However, the trip to highflying Havant & Waterlooville on their last outing before Christmas proved a bridge too far as the Blues were crushed beneath the well-oiled wheels of Hawks juggernaut. Alfie Rutherford feasted well, bagging a hat trick with Rory Williams and Ryan Woodford also contributing to the 5-0 rout. With Harrow Borough surprising playoff hopefuls Tonbridge Angels the following Tuesday, Grays found themselves back at the rear of the pack as the Christmas break arrived.

Dulwich have already crossed swords with the Blues this season, the Hamlet producing a comprehensive win in the First Round of the Alan Turvey Trophy back in September. That night early goals from Ibrahim Kargbo and Alex Teniola before ten minutes had elapsed looked set to ensure comfortable progress through. However, Grays proved stubborn in defence, Dulwich not making certain of the win until Nyren Clunis added a third after the break with Ashley Carew wrapping up the 4-0 win ten minutes from time.

Since that game the Blues’ squad has undergone a facelift with only Arron Wickham, Harry Watkins, Lheureux Menga and unused sub Kwabena Osei featuring both in that Champion Hill encounter and in Grays’s last outing at Havant. Several new faces have featured in recent games including former Dulwich defender Terrell Forbes and experienced striker Richard Pacquette though it is perhaps the aforementioned Kieron Bishop who has had the greatest impact. Deemed surplus to requirements at Harlow Town, Bishop has already bagged half-a-dozen goals in his five starts for the Blues.

This game takes place at Aveley FC, The Mill Field, Mill Road, Aveley, Essex, RM15 4SJ kicking off at 3.00 pm

Admission Prices:

• Adults: £10.00
• Concessions: £6.00
• Students: £6.00 (Valid Id Required)
• Kids For A Quid (U16's)