Following the excellent performance and result at Brightlingsea Regent, Grays return to the EMR Stadium on Saturday 12th April, welcoming promotion chasing Felixstowe & Walton FC, with The Blues looking to make it an 8th win on the bounce.

On Wednesday evening, Felixstowe & Walton won the Suffolk Senior Cup for the first time, in their 8th appearance in the final. Having beaten Step 2 Needham Market in the semi final, The Seasiders overcame Southern Premier Central rivals, Leiston Town in a dramatic final that went to penalties. Felixstowe were 2-0 up through Charlie Warren and Cameron Forde-Brown, with 5 minutes to go, before two late goals for their opponents, the second an acrobatic finish, from Leiston's goalkeeper (check it out on social media, its incredible). The shootout ended 5-3 in Felixstowe's favour and the party could begin!

Many congratulations to The Seasiders on winning a trophy they have coveted for so long.

Head to Head Record

The Blues first met The Seasiders in their debut season in Isthmian North in 2018/19. Before meeting one another in the league, the clubs were drawn together in the Extra Preliminary Round of the F.A.Trophy. The match played at Felixstowe ended in a 3-1 victory for The Blues with a brace from Joao Carlos and one from Ade Cole. Jack Ainsley replied for Felixstowe.

The remaining games between the clubs have all been in the league. Last season at the EMR, Felixstowe and Walton coasted to a 3-0 victory and then completed the double up on the Suffolk coast edging the game 3-2 with a late winner.

The reverse game this season at The Martello Ground was played on 21st January and was one of those evenings that will live long in the memory of every Grays fan present. On a run of 7 games without a win, with several experienced players unavailable and with a loan signing making his debut in senior football after meeting his teammates for the first time on the coach up. Still not difficult enough? The Seasiders sat at the top of the league and were unbeaten at home in the League for 13 months.
Despite going behind early on to a Thomas Warren header, Athletic showed their intent going close on several occasions before second half goals from Shane Temple, Luke Hirst and Elliott Sartorius from the spot, earning a 3-1 victory.
Bizarrely, Blues then went on another run of 7 games without a victory. Football, eh?

Therefore, including the Trophy game the Head to Head Record is P12 W6 D1 L5.

The Gaffer

Felixstowe are managed by former player Stuart Boardley, (who played in that Trophy game against The Blues) assisted by Andy Crump. Stuart, an Ipswich Trainee, played for Torquay United in 2004/05, before a move into Non league, closer to home. Stuart managed Leiston in the Southern League Premier Midland Division in 2018/19, winning the Suffolk Senior Cup, ironically against Felixstowe and Walton in the Final.

The duo took over at Felixstowe in October 2019 and have built a squad that have been challenging for honours in each of the last three seasons, finishing 5th, 6th and 3rd. It is no surprise to anyone with knowledge of this league, that they have been right in the mix again this season.

However, there was a surprise announcement in early March that Stuart and Andy are to step down at the end of this season. They leave big shoes to fill, but a terrific foundation to build upon for whoever takes over, and of course, they delivered the silverware midweek.

Felixstowe & Walton's Season So Far

The Seasiders have had another really successful season and visit us in 3rd place with 76 points from 38 games played. With 4 games left to play, they are 6 points behind leaders, Brentwood Town (these notes were written before Brentwood's Friday evening game versus Tilbury) and a point behind 2nd placed Bury Town. They have a 2 point gap to Waltham Abbey in 4th with a further 2 points back to Brightlingsea in 5th.

Along with the triumph in the Suffolk Senior Cup, The Seasiders have done well in the other cups this season. In the F.A.Cup, they beat Bury Town in a replay and followed this by dispatching Leverstock Green, before losing at Canvey Island in the 2nd Qualifying Round.
Things went even better in the F.A.Trophy. Wins against Basildon United, Enfield and Haringey Borough, all at home, earned an away tie in the 1st Round Proper to Southern League Premier Central side, Bishops Stortford and a brilliant 6-1 win. The next round saw a tie away at National South front runners, Boreham Wood, and another great performance, leading the Wood until a late equaliser and a loss, 5-4, on penalties.

Leading scorer this season is former Ipswich apprentice, Charlie Warren, with 32 goals, (22 in the league), who has had trials with Football League sides Bolton Wanderers and Wycombe Wanderers, this season. His brother Thomas has weighed in with 16 goals (12 in the league), including a hat-trick in the recent 8-0 thrashing of Sporting Bengal. Felixstowe's 86 league goals is only second to leaders, Brentwood Town.

Felixstowe still have an outside chance of winning the league but Brentwood are clearly in pole position. If it is the playoffs for The Seasiders, then their record this season against their likely play off rivals, shows the significance of finishing 2nd or 3rd and getting a home tie. They beat both Bury Town and Waltham Abbey at home and drew with Brightlingsea Regent. Away from home, they drew with The Abbey but lost to Regent and Bury. If Brentwood slip back into the play offs, it's a similar story with Felixstowe winning at home but losing away.

Current Form

Felixstowe's recent form is a proper mixed bag. The last 6 league games have seen 2 wins 2 draws and 2 losses.
In away games the picture is the same, 2 wins at Redbridge and that walloping of Sporting Bengal. The 2 losses came at Walthamstow and critically in a 6 pointer at Brentwood Town. At Brentwood, the home team led through a second half penalty, but The Seasiders fought back to take the lead, which they held until the 90th minute. It was then the Football Gods turned away as Brentwood got a soft penalty decision before scoring again in the 94th minute. There was even time for The Seasiders to seemingly equalise only for an assistant's flag to cruelly deny them.

Grays's form has been as good as we have seen for a long time. Seven wins on the trot, some great battling performances and reward for a lot of hard work to turn around a tough period in the bleak midwinter.
In terms of home form, The Blues have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 6. The wins have come in the last 3 against Cambridge City, Basildon and Witham Town. The losses to Brentwood and Brightlingsea.

Summary

This is another big game, against a really good team, who know how to score goals and who have to go for the win.

Whilst The Blues have probably been more impressive on the road than at the EMR, confidence should be flowing for this opportunity. The focus, discipline and self belief have improved game to game during this run and all those qualities will be needed on Saturday.

Come on down to the EMR on Saturday and see if The Blues can extend their winning run to a straight 8.

Up The Ath!!