FC Boro

Boro travel to Essex tomorrow night to face Grays in the visitors first televised game of the season. Boro have hit some form of late and a win at the Recreation Ground would be their fourth in a row and could put them as high as 11th in the Blue Square Premier, just 2 points away from a play-off spot. Grays are currently 21st in the table, but did beat Wrexham at home last time out, beating the Welsh side 2-1. The main reason Grays are in the position they are is because of their poor away record. In the 5 away games they have played so far they have lost all 5. However, their home form is a lot better, having only lost once in 5 games, winning 3 and drawing 1.

Grays are currently managed by former Farnborough player Tim O’Shea, although this will be one of his last games in charge as he is about to be replaced by former Fisher boss Wayne Burnett. O’Shea played for Graham Westley in his time at Cherrywood Road. Since O’Shea took over, he has brought in 3 players (St Aimie, Rigg, Button) on loan and beat Wrexham in his first game. Kieron St Aimie who has joined from Barnet scored a brace on his debut and could be a tricky customer for Boro on Thursday. Stuart Thurgood is also currently back at Grays after a short spell with Gillingham and will be someone Boro will have to deal with. Thurgood and Bostwick could be quite a battle in the middle of the park.

Graham Westley again has no new injury concerns and should name the same side that comfortably beat Forest Green at the weekend. Mitchell Cole, John Martin and Lee Boylan are all in line to face their former club, while Steve Morison will want to keep his current goalscoring record going. Boro’s last visit to the Recreation Ground saw them run out 2-0 winners in what was one of Mark Stimson last games in charge. A goal from Steve Morison and a penalty from Mark Arber were enough to take all 3 points back to Hertfordshire. We have played Grays 6 times in the league since their promotion in 2005, winning 3, drawing 2 and losing 1. We are unbeaten at the Recreation Ground going into Thursday’s game.

I think if we continue to play the way we have done in recent weeks then another victory is possible tomorrow night. St Aimie and Rigg will be dangerous up front and Henry and co will have to keep focussed throughout if they are to keep another clean sheet. Grays are quite vulnerable at the back, especially with Jon Ashton ruled out through injury and although they could also punish us going forward I think we will have enough to beat Grays. I wonder what the odds are for a Boro win with Thurgood getting sent off?

Prediction: Grays 1-2 Boro