Romford visit high-flying Grays

Boxing Day (2pm)

Ryman Division One North

Grays Athletic v Romford

Boro put their six-game unbeaten streak in the league on the line at Rookery Hill against promotion hopefuls Grays.

Captain Paul Clayton earned his side a 1-1 draw with another Thurrock club, Tilbury, at Mill Field in their last outing.

And manager Paul Martin expressed his satisfaction with a haul of 29 points at Christmas.

He said: “We’re a bit more consistent this year. Our first year, we had a bad start but a good back-end to the season, then last year was the other way around.

“The target was 20 points before Christmas, but we have got to be happy with just staying in the league.”

Martin will be missing from the Boro dugout today, though, as he starts a two-game suspension, folowing his sending-off in the 2-0 win over Heybridge.

But Romford took the unusual step of offering supporters the chance to bid for the chance of being manager for the day.

And whoever won the online auction can expect an interesting day on the touchline!

Grays saw their hopes of an Essex Senior Cup semi-final place ended by Premier Division outfit Concord last week, going down 3-2.

But they are currently sitting in third place, four points behind leaders Needham Market after being hit with a three-point deduction.

They have been beaten twice at home, though, by Tilbury and Thamesmead, which should give Boro heart.