Cray look to consolidate their playoff place on Saturday as they travel to the Cricklefield Stadium to face Barkingside.

 

Cray have been playing some excellent football in recent weeks and were somewhat unfortunate to not to grab a point from the home game with Thurrock on Tuesday as the Wands lost by the odd goal in three to 2nd placed Thurrock.

This keeps Cray in fourth place on 74 points, three clear of sixth placed Cheshunt and now with a better goal difference.

There were positives to come out of the two games in two days on Sunday and Tuesday and Cray are playing with a lot of confidence going forward and the midfield have been tenacious and equally inventive.

Defensively Cray have been very sound over the last few weeks and both Thurrock goals came from a penalty and from an inswinging corner so not much is getting past the defence in open play.

The signing of Michael Frieter looks to be a shrewd move as he has slotted in instantly and looks to have a good understanding with powerful Jacob Erskine despite Jacob being not totally match fit.

Also James Duckworth has been in tremendous form over the last six weeks or so and Karl Dent looks back to his best with his runs from midfield. The bench also looks strong as proved against Soham on Sunday and against Thurrock the three changes, Ben Hunt, Jamie Mascoll and Leigh Bremner almost turned the game around.

Cray’s opponents on Saturday, Barkingside need points at the other end of the table as they find themselves second from bottom on 29 points from 39 games.

They have generally struggled since the start of the season but at home they will be a difficult proposition and Cray will have to be at their most professional to come away from Ilford with three points. Barkingside are coached by former Cray player, Gursel Gulfer and will have them well organised.

The last meeting with Barkingside was back on 19th December and Cray won comfortably in the end 4-0 with Andre McCollin netting a hat-trick and Leigh Bremner was also on target that afternoon.

The overall record with Barkingside is very decent having come up against them in the late 50’s and mid 70’s in the London League Senior and Metropolitan London Leagues. Our record is P. 13 W.10 D.2. L1. F42 A9.

Cray will next be in action over Easter on Saturday when they entertain Witham Town and then on Easter Monday with a quick return match with Thurrock at Ship Lane.