Hakan Hayrettin’s team are in great form having dispatched Needham Market, Ilford, Potters Bar Town and Ware in recent weeks, and will be looking to add Mark Hawkes’ much-changed team to that list.

Facing basement side Ware looked an easy match on paper, however it was anything but as they made Blues work incredibly hard for the three points. With three players suspended for the match, Stephen Ikumelo made his league debut at right back; Bradley Thomas was drafted in alongside Cooper, whilst Danny Bunce started in the centre of midfield in place of Harry Agombar.

After conceding an own goal by Grant Cooper, Nathan Gordon and Joao Carlos got into the game, having plenty of joy on their respective flanks. Carlos won a free-kick on the edge of the area, which, with the aid of a deflection Lee Flynn duly dispatched. The winning goal by Jake Hall was an example of what the recent additions have brought to the squad.

James Bunn controlled a free-kick into the area, and with his second touch laid it off to Hall, who rifled into the top of the net. Those two players, along with ex-Redbridge winger Gordon, have provided Blues with the much-needed impetus that was required.

Swifts’ form hasn’t been great in recent months, and since an excellent 4-3 win away at Needham Market on New Year’s Eve, they have picked up 3 wins in the subsequent 12 matches, and just 1 in the last 6. Last weekend they lost at home to Thamesmead Town (1-0), and have also suffered home defeats to Romford (1-0), Harlow Town (3-1) and Chatham Town (1-0). They have however shown better form on the road and a point at Great Wakering Rovers (0-0) and a win at Ware (1-0) are testament to that. Without much to play for in terms of league positions, those players turning out in black and white will be looking to show the manager Mark Hawkes that they are worthy of a place in his squad for next season.

As the battle for a play-off space heats up, Harlow Town will be looking to build on their 2-1 home win against rivals Redbridge in midweek, as they host Brentwood Town. Redbridge, who are six points adrift now host bottom side Ware in what appears to be a must-win if they are to have any chance of catching the pack. Fourth placed Tilbury face AFC Sudbury, and remarkably could go level on points with Needham Market – a feat thought unbelievable just a few weeks ago. The Suffolk side host Waltham Forest and need just four more goals to reach a century of league goals this season.

Elsewhere in the league, the top two are both on the road with Leiston heading to Ilford and Enfield Town facing Maldon & Tiptree.

Cheshunt v Chatham Town
Grays Athletic v Heybridge Swifts
Harlow Town v Brentwood Town
Ilford v Leiston
Maldon & Tiptree v Enfield Town
Needham Market v Waltham Forest
Redbridge v Ware
Soham Town Rangers v Romford
Thamesmead Town v Great Wakering Rovers
Tilbury v AFC Sudbury
Waltham Abbey v Potters Bar Town

TEAM NEWS
Paul Olima serves the second of his three match ban after his red card at Soham, whilst Craig Pope and Harry Agombar serve the second of their two match bans after accumulating ten yellow cards.

Heybridge have seen a number of changes in personnel in recent weeks with no less than seven players departing the club. Captain, Danny Barber left for Enfield Town, whilst the right back Jake Gibson has switched to Great Wakering Rovers. A number of other players including Chris Bryan, Michael Toner, Russell Pond, Lauris Coggin and Billy Hawes have also left the club.

FORM GUIDE
Grays Athletic: D L W W W W
Heybridge Swifts: L D L L W L

LEAGUE POSITION

Dependant on results elsewhere, Grays could climb above Tilbury into 4th, whilst Heybridge Swifts could climb three places to 11th or drop below Waltham Abbey.

MATCH FACTS
Saturday’s match will be the 20th competitive fixture in all competitions between the two clubs.

The first competitive fixture was a 1st Qualifying Round tie in the FA Amateur Cup back on 6th October 1934. Blues won the match 4-1.

That win was just one of four for Grays, the next being in the FA Trophy in 1990, a 1-0 win thanks to a Richard Cherry goal. The other two have occurred in the Isthmian Premier, firstly in April 2001, a 1-0 win, with Alex Fiddes getting the only goal. The most recent win is also Blues’ biggest over The Swifts, a 4-0 home win in October 2003, with the goals coming from Leroy Griffiths, Martin Carthy, Danny Hayzelden and Tony Lock.

The most recent fixture was the reserve league match at Scraley Road back in August. Both sides claimed a point with ex-Blue Bertie Brayley equalising in the second half, after Danny Bunce had given Blues a first half lead from the penalty spot.

There have been 11 victories for Heybridge, with 4 draws.

CLUB CONNECTIONS
Dean Bradshaw, Bertie Brayley, Ernie Cooksey, Hakan Hayrettin, Danny Kerrigan, Joe Nightingill, Stephen Northwood, Jean-Michel Sigere, Bradley Thomas, David Wareham

If you know of any others, please let me know.

MILESTONES
If selected, centre half Junior Baker will be making his 80th appearance for the club.

Both Anthony Ryan and Joe Sweeney need one more goal for their 10th for the club.