THERE's almost a sense of 'see what you could have won' for Grays Athletic FC this afternoon when they cross the QEII bridge for the short trip to Longfield and an FA Trophy clash with Corinthian FC.

The Kent club are backed by the Billings family, who were former owners of Grays' Recreation ground but during the height of the club's surge up the non-League pyramid and two FA Trophy-winning campaigns in 2005 and 2006, they opted to sell the ground to developers and the Blues have been homeless since, sliding back down to Isthmian North level.

The Billings family continued to invest and support Corinthian and their Gay Dawn Farm ground has been developed into a multi-sport facility with all weather and indoor pitches alongside the main stadium.

And the club has climbed up the ladder too, now playing in the Isthmian South.

The two clubs meet in today's (Saturday, 25 September) first qualifying round with a home tie in the second qualifying round against Brentwood as the prize.

Tilbury, who will face Kent side Faversham in the second round qualifying on Saturday, 9 October, and Aveley (home to Uxbridge) got byes. Aveley played in the league last night and beat Barking 4-0. Tilbury are without a game today.

In the Isthmian Premier today East Thurrock United will travel to Haringey Borough.

Included in the squad will be loanee signing Jon Benton who has joined the Rocks from Southend United on a one month deal.

Benton has been with the Blues youth and development sides for more than ten years, and signed a pro-contact in May 2020.