Trophy test for Grays on Sunday

1:05pm Friday 23rd February 2007

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GRAYS Athletic put their Conference trouble behind them on Sunday but will nevertheless feel the pressure as they defend the FA Trophy at Welling United.

They face the Conference South promotion chasers in a tough quarter-final, with the match kicking off at 1pm to avoid a clash with the Carling Cup final.

Grays boss Justin Edinburgh has the job of lifting his side's morale after last weekend's 2-0 home defeat by Stevenage and former boss Mark Stimson that dropped the Blues into a relegation berth.

But Grays have reserved some of their best performances of the season for the Trophy and have a good record on their travels in the competition they have won for the past two seasons, so supporters will make the short journey to Park View Road with some optimism.

If there is no replay, Grays will make a quick return to league action on Tuesday and will hope to get that sought-after win against St Albans.

The visitors have picked up since being mauled 6-0 at home by Grays in October - Frank Grays' last match in charge of Athletic - but it is a must-win encounter for Edinburgh's men.

Grays will be aware that the Wings are keen to get back to winning ways following two league defeats. Welling lost 3-2 at home to Conference South leaders Bishop's Stortford and followed it up with a 3-1 defeat to Newport County last Saturday. Those losses halted a run of four wins.

The Wings squad includes three former Grays men: defender Ben Moore, midfielder Martin Carthy and striker Tony Battersby.

Other familiar faces are ex-Thurrock defender Mark Goodfellow, ex-Thurrock striker Steve Harper, plus ex-Billericay Town and Canvey Island defender Chris Moore.