Dagenham & Redbridge among rivals in busy Blues pre-season (From Thurrock Gazette)

Grays Athletic unveil friendly dates

12:50pm Monday 28th May 2012 in Sport By Frazer Clark

NON-LEAGUE: Grays Athletic have announced the first two matches of Blues' pre-season schedule ahead of the new campaign.

Blues travel to Concord Rangers on Saturday 21 July and will face Southend Manor away from home on Tuesday 7 August.

Last July a brace of goals from trialist Dwight Gayle helped Blues to a 3-2 win at Thames Road, whilst The Beach Boys notched up their own 3-2 win in December as they won an exciting Essex Senior Cup Quarter Final tie.

The match against Southend Manor will be the first between the two clubs.

Blues will also entertain AFC Hornchurch and a Dagenham & Redbridge XI.

Jimmy McFarlane will bring his newly promoted AFC Hornchurch side to Rush Green on Saturday 11 August, which is a week before both teams start their respective league campaigns. The Urchins visited Rookery Hill last July and won by a single goal scored by Frankie Curley.

Blues will also face a Dagenham & Redbridge XI at home on Thursday 19 July; kick off 7.30pm, with the venue still to be confirmed.

For full details of the borough's non-league clubs and their friendly dates see Friday's THURROCK GAZETTE