Purfleet helped them out a couple of weeks ago, and now Canvey will look for assistance from Grays - because it's their turn to face Gravesend & Northfleet.

Craig Edwards takes his side into Kent tomorrow and if past history is any guide then Jeff King and co can rest easy.

Third-in-the-table Blues have won all three previous matches between the two since winning promotion and are one of only two teams to have inflicted an away defeat on Gravesend - the other is Purfleet.

Blues though are coming off a defeat and one not easily brushed aside because it came in last Saturday's all-Thurrock derby.

After having a go at the referee Frank Meilack, Edwards did admit that his team had enough chances to have won and it is in attack where he does have concern.

Nathan Thomas and Mervyn Abraham are too similar in style and against as an uncompromising defence as Purfleet's become increasingly ineffective.

Edwards would like to play Tony Lock, except that in a reserve game last week an innocuous looking fall left him with a broken hand.

Sammy Cooper though will be included in the squad at Stonehouse Lane following his recovery from a groin strain.

Published Friday, March 22, 2002