By the time they visit Premier side Grays Athletic in the Essex Thames-side Trophy semi-finals next Thursday, Great Wakering Rovers will know the meaning of the soccer phrase "have boots, will travel."

For that night Alan Hull's village side will be clocking up their fourth successive away game in ten days.

Their football journeys started on Tuesday with a haul down to Harwich in the East Anglian Cup - where victory earned them another visit, this time to Felixstowe, for the area final later in the season.

Tomorrow they go to Surrey for a Ryman fixture and, on Tuesday, continue their quest to finish the season in third place when they travel to Leyton Pennant.

That's quickly followed two days later by the fixture at Grays, where Rovers will be attempting to reverse the result of last season's final when they were beaten in a penalty shoot-out.

Some of Wakering's lesser known lights shone through in the East Anglian success with young reserve captain Alan Merry making the transition to the first team well and both Dan Ringer and Paul Sammons getting on the scoresheet.

Hopefully the major injury problems for Wakering will start to ease.

There are strong hopes that experienced midfielder Gary Howard will be fit to return tomorrow, but Dan Trenkel, Mark Hampshire and Nick Jennings are all likely to still be out, joining long term "crocks" Paul Wheeler and Paul Pilkington on the sidelines.

At least Rovers will still have the services of Canvey's all-time record striker Andy Jones for their busy spell of three games in six days.

But after that his three-month loan will come to an end and, under Ryman rules, Wakering will not be able to extend it.

Hull's troops finally enjoy a homecoming to Burroughs Park tomorrow week when they host Marlow and fans are reminded that the Easter Monday visit to Romford will be played at Purfleet's ground with a 3pm kick-off.

Published Friday, March 22, 2002