Entertaining game in prospect

Hereford United entertain Grays Athletic tomorrow at Edgar Street in what is beleived to be the first meeting between the two clubs.

The Bulls, who are now in second place in the Conference, will be hoping for a repeat of the home form which saw them put four goals past Scarborough two weeks ago. However Grays Athletic started the season off by putting six goals past Gravesend, so hopefully there will be some goals to be seen at the game.

Since those first games, both sides have had set-backs. The Bulls lost at Cambridge, but won last Saturday at Crawley, whereas Grays have drawn their last two games.

Graham Turner will have at least 18 of his 21 strong squad available. Long term injuries to Jamie Pitman and Simon Travis will keep them out although Pitman is close to being fully fit. Loan signing Darren Blewitt could be in contention although he may have a late fitness test on his foot which was x-rayed earlier this week.

Turner is expected to keep to the same format as in the previous three games although as he told BBC Hereford and Worcester yesterday, it is taking time to bed in.

"With so many new faces in the side, it will take a little bit of time for it all to gel. There are occasions when there is a little bit of misunderstanding between players.

"The shape of the side is different from last season when we played 4-4-2. We've playing with the free player behind the front two strikers.

"The system is not working as smoothly as we would like, but it's comimg on.

"We could always revert back to the other system if we need to, but right at the moment I'm prepared to stick with it and hope it works.

"When you look at the results so far, the goals we've scored, the chances we've created, two clean sheets as well, it's not going bad at all."

Grays Athletic are managed by 36 year old Mark Stimson, who had a playing career with over 240 league appearances at Tottenham, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Southend and Leyton Orient. However several of the players will perhaps be better known to Hereford United supporters.

Aaron McLean was with Aldershot when Hereford met them in the Conference play-offs in 2004. Described as a pacy 21-year-old striker McLean was with Leyton Orient initially and came to Grays on loan during 2002 before moving on to Aldershot Town in the Conference before being released by Shots manager Terry Brown and rejoining Grays. McLean didn't feature for Grays last Saturday.

Dean Brennan was with Stevenage, so should be well known to Jon Brady. He signed a two yeay deal with Grays in August 2004.

And the BBC have picked out Gray's Stuart Thurgood as one to watch. The midfielder started almost 50 games for Southend before dropping out of the Football League but has time to make it back. Still only 24, Thurgood captained Grays to the Conference South and FA Trophy double last season.

Grays are thought to have plenty of pace in their side. When asked about this Tony James, the Hereford United captain told BBC H&W:

"Should be interesting. They're a side that goes forward and tries to score lots of goals, it's the kind of game we enjoy ourselves. We like a big open game."

BBC Radio Essex will have commentary on the game.

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