Match Preview

The Opposition: ​ Leatherhead

The Location:​ Fetcham Grove, Guildford Rd, Fetcham, Leatherhead KT22 9AS The

Time:​ Saturday 13th August 2016, 3PM

The History:​ The last 10 games between the sides have all been in league competition and it is pretty much a split record with 3 wins apiece and 4 draws. What is more interesting is that Leatherhead’s 3 victories have all come in the last 3 meetings! Last season Grays lost 3­0 at Fetcham Grove with one of the goals coming from former Blue, Wes Daly. The return match at Mill Field finished 2­-0 to the visitors as they completed a double over Grays.

The Form:​ Grays go into this game on the back of some mixed results in pre season. Victories against Hullbridge, VCD and Thurrock have been countered by defeats to Hornchurch, Ramsgate and local rivals Tilbury in the annual Stan Venness Trophy match. Leatherhead have also had a mixed bag of results in pre season that has included 3 defeats and 4 wins. They also had an excellent draw against National League new boys Maidstone United.

The Players: ​ Grays go into this game with a new manager and virtually a whole new squad. Jamie Stuart rejoined the club in the close season to replace Mark Bentley as manager as the club restructured on and off the field. Stuart could even play himself alongside Jake Hutchings as The Blues kick off the new season.
Leatherhead will once again have last season's top scorer Kiernan Hughes­Mason up front and a familiar face in the form of Barry Cogan. Between 2007­2009 the Irishman played 62 times for Blues, scoring 13 goals in the process.