AFTER completing their pre-season with a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Isthmian Premier Cheshunt on Tuesday (29 July), the season starts in earnest for Grays Athletic today (Saturday, 2 August) when the competitive campaign begins with an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round tie at Essex Senior League side, Barking FC

This is the 100th time Grays have entered the FA Cup and the match, at Mayesbrook Park, starts at 3pm when Grays will be looking to improve on their recent FA Cup record, which has been somewhat disappointing.

The clubs have met 10 occasions in the FA Cup, with both sides progressing five times, most recently in the first qualifying round in 1999/2000 at Mayesbrook Park, when a single goal from Ricky Hazle decided the game in Grays' favour.

Grays' most recent games against Barking were in Isthmian North in 2021/2022. Having won a really tough game, 1-0, away, Grays did the double by winning 5-2 at Parkside. At the end of that season, Barking were very unluckily relegated. They were docked 3 points by the League, which was decisive. In their final game, they climbed out of the automatic relegation places by winning at Tilbury. However, rivals Witham Town were still playing and scored a 95th minute winner, (Josh Osude), lifting them above The Blues at the last breath.

Barking's manager will be familiar to Grays fans of a certain vintage.

Craig Edwards joined Blues as manager in the middle of the 2000/01 season, with The Blues rooted to the bottom of the Isthmian Premier League. He immediately inspired a win in a 6 pointer at Dulwich Hamlet and then guided them to a safe middle table position.

Things got even better in 2001/02, as Craig built a hardworking, pacy side capable of beating anyone in the IPL. That side finished sixth in the table, reached the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup and the 3rd Round of the FA Trophy. Expectation was sky high for 2002/03, but a relatively slow start saw Craig relieved of his duties and was replaced by Mark Stimson.

Barking's league season has already started. Following an impressive 1-0 win at home against Basildon United, they lost 3-1 at White Ensign, having been ahead at half time.