LEE FLYNN, the Grays Athletic captain, has said Blues are oozing confidence as they prepare for a season defining weekend that could see them become league and cup champions.

Victory at Harlow Town on Tuesday night has set up a title winning clash at Rush Green against rivals Maldon & Tiptree, who, in December sat 15 points clear of Blues at the top of Ryman Division One North.

But a run of 15 wins on the trot has seen Blues soar above the north Essex side who themselves, earlier in the season, set a league record of 14 wins on the spin.

How sweet it will be for Hakan Hayrettin's troops to snatch that record away from Maldon and win the title. A win against Terry Spillane's Maldon will be enough to win the league on Saturday.

That would see them 12 points clear by end of play Saturday, with just three games to go. Should Maldon bring Blues' unrelenting run to an end, it is likely that will only delay the inevitable title success which Grays are on the brink of.

On Monday, the club will then descend upon Dagenham & Redbridge where they face Conference South strugglers Hornchurch in the Essex Senior Cup final.

Coincidentally, in 2007, the same year Hornchurch last won the Essex Senior Cup, they also won the Ryman Division One North league.

Last season they were promoted from the Ryman Premier League through the play-offs but have found the going tough at Conference level.

They go into the game as slight favourites, especially given the scalps they have taken en-route to the final. Billericay, holders Canvey Island and League One outfit Colchester United have all been brushed aside during an impressive Essex cup campaign for Jim Mcfarlane’s side.

Grays have won the cup eight times, last winning it in 1995 with a 1-0 triumph over Billericay Town and Flynn says Grays fear no one. His side beat Hornchurch in a pre-season friendly in August.

As Blues prepare for the biggest weekend in their recent history, Flynn, who has been one-fifth of a defensive quintet that has conceded just 15 goals in 21 games since the turn of the year, insists his side will take it one huge game at a time.

He said: “At the moment the whole place is unreal given what we’ve done.

“We’re oozing confidence and go into every match think we’re not going to lose. We’re feeling very, very confident. From the first 11, to the subs, to the coaching staff we’re buzzing for every game that comes along and we do just take every game as it comes.

“If it comes to us having to beat Maldon to win the league then that will be great, then there’s the cup final and that will be a good occasion. It’s been a long time since I played in a cup final and i’m looking forward to it, but we don’t fear anyone.

“We’re just so confident in the way we play.

He added: “We’ve always had a good team spirit but if you look at it, the side that’s played in recent months has basically been the same side that’s started each game. It’s enabled us to build consistency.”

The opposition:
Maldon and Tiptree-
Manager: Terry Spillane
League position: 2nd
League W/D/L: 26/6/6
Goals scored/conceded: 94/41
Last six games: LWDLWW
Last time they faced Blues: Maldon (Berquez, Guy) 2-1 Grays Athletic (Agombar) - 3 Nov 2012
One to watch: James Robinson (Striker)
Top scorer: Jamie Guy (20)
Key battle: Jeff Hammond (Grays) vs Glen Golby (Maldon)
The match: 3pm kick off at Rush Green, Romford (tickets available on the day)

AFC Hornchurch-
Blue Square Conference South
Manager: Jim Mcfarlane
League position: 19th (out of 22)
League W/D/L: 10/11/17
Goals scored/conceded: 42/56
Last six games: WLLWLL
Path to the final:
3rd: Billericay (pens), 4th: Canvey Island (2-0), QF: Colchester United (4-3), SF: Waltham Abbey (3-2)
One to watch: Lewis Smith (Forward)
Top scorer: Martin Tuohy (15)
Key battle: Junior Baker (Grays Athletic) vs Lewis Smith (Hornchurch)
The match: 7.45pm kick off at the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium, for tickets contact Grays Athletic football club by visiting www.graysathletic.co.uk