Grays Athletic Preview

Wingate & Finchley host Grays Athletic on Tuesday night, in what is the third of four consecutive home games for Simon Lanes side. However the Blues will be looking to bounce back from an FA Trophy upset against Royston Town. After a fantastic August, with seven wins from eight games, the North London side are in a slight slump having won only one of their last five games in all competitions. Grays are also in a slight slump, winning only one of their last six league games and scoring only six goals in that period. However the Gravelmen have won three of their last four games, winning in the FA Trophy, drawing against Welling United in the FA Cup and thrashing Lewes 4-0 in the league. They did suffer a 4-0 defeat in the replay against Welling. Dangerman, Dumebi Dumaka has scored 15 goals for Mark Bentleys side whilst Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson, Joao Carlos and James Stevens have scored 16 goals between them this season. The Blues will be looking to top goal scorers Billy Healey and Karl Oliyide for goals, the pair scoring 15 goals between them since Lanes arrival as manager. Rob Laney and Lee Barney will also be looking to add to their tallies and building on impressive performances that have not resulted in as many goals as either will have wanted. Both sides go into the game in shaky form and Wingate will need the midfield to step up after a dip in form. Tommy Tejan-Sie, Oliyide, Ola Sogbanmu and Leon Solomon all started the season very brightly and will be pushed for starting spots by Martel Powell, Daniel Brown and Michael Buckley. Jack Metcalfe has deputised well for Bobby Smith in goal, saving two penalties in two consecutive games at the Abrahams Stadium. The game could be a springboard for both sides to get back to winning ways in what promises to be a tightly contested fixture. By Andy Gerlis