AFTER a season that has offered so much disappointment, Grays go into Saturday’s FA Cup first round clash at Coca-Cola Division One Carlisle with renewed optimism.
Blues boss Wayne Burnett is gradually remoulding the side and though they were beaten at Kidderminster in the Blue Square Premier last weekend, it was generally agreed it was a much-improved performance.
Striker Jamie Slabber has returned to the fold and he marked his debut with a hat-trick in Tuesday’s 7-0 Essex Senior Cup demolition of Maldon.
Carlisle have big problems of their own. Having lost ten out of the last 11 matches, manager John Ward paid the penalty with his job on Monday and caretaker Greg Abbott gets his second chance in the hot seat.
His main priority will be to reverse a run of form that has seen Carlisle tumble from second to 20th in the table but the Cup offers a break from the pressure of the league - a feeling no doubt shared by Grays so an interesting clash is in prospect.
While Grays have a long trek north, there’s plenty of action in the borough.
Blue Square South Thurrock are at home to Basingstoke, lifted by their away win at Fisher last weekend and probably not too downhearted having given a creditable performance against Premier leaders Kettering in the Setanta Shield on Tuesday.
In the Ryman One North, promotion challengers Aveley and East Thurrock are both at home, to Ware and Enfield Town respectively.
Tilbury travel to Northwood.
In midweek Aveley go to Colchester in the Essex Senior League in a match put back a week because of the Football League’s side commitments elsewhere.
There promises to be a decent crowd at Grays on Tuesday, when Conference South high-fliers Chelmsford arrive in the setanta Shield.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
Saturday, November 8, 3pm
FA Cup First Round
Carlisle United v Grays Athletic
Blue Square South
Thurrock v Basingstoke Town
Ryman One North
Aveley v Witham Town; East Thurrock United v Enfield Town; Northwood v Tilbury
Tuesday, November 11, 7.45pm
Setanta Shield Third Round
Grays Athletic v Chelmsford City
Ryman One North
Ware v East Thurrock United
Wednesday, November 12, 7.30pm
Essex Senior Cup
Colchester United v Aveley
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