Cray Wanderers continue a run of away league games on Saturday with a visit to Billericay Town. 

Kick off is at 3pm.

The Wands will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday night’s late defeat at Bognor Regis Town which saw Cray move one place down the Isthmian Premier league table to 16th on 25 points.

Cray had led at Nyewood Lane from the 18th minute courtesy of a fine Gary Lockyer strike, his ninth goal of the season and led until the 87th minute when Bognor levelled and then took the lead three minutes later to win the game 2-1.  

A positive of the last few games has been the defensive solidity especially in the four festive home games and certainly put in another good shift on Tuesday night with David Ijaha and Cameron Black outstanding while up front Tayo Oyebola has two goals in four games and has looked sharp.

In recent weeks Cray were just starting to edge away from the bottom four but still need a few more points to perhaps edge towards mid-table.  With trips to Folkestone Invicta and Whitehawk to follow, Neil Smith’s side will be looking to pick up some points away from home where Cray have been competitive and have lost the last two by the odd goal.  

Billericay Town have had a very consistent season in league and cups and come into the game in 4th place in the table and have won their last three league matches.  The Wands though can take heart from the record against teams in the top 5 after wins against Chatham Town, Enfield Town and Wingate & Finchley in the first half of the season.

Gary McCann’s side last Saturday were 3-1 winners at Kingstonian with goals from George Wind, Moses Emmanuel and Matt Johnson and have 41 points from 21 matches played and have recently added Tommy Davis and Ruben Soares-Junior to the team.

When the teams met at Hayes Lane on 19th August, Billericay edged the game 1-0 with a first half goal from Emmanuel and defeated the Wands the last time the sides met at Billericay on the opening day of the 2022-23 season winning 2-1.

At home this season Billericay have beaten Kingstonian (1-0), Dulwich Hamlet (3-0), Hastings United (2-0), Bognor Regis Town (2-1), Chatham Town (2-0), Carshalton Athletic (2-0) and Potters Bar Town (2-1). The Blues have drawn with Enfield Town (1-1) and were beaten by Whitehawk (1-3), Canvey Island (0-1) and Haringey Borough (1-2). 

Away from home, Billericay won at Cheshunt (1-0), Cray Wanderers (1-0), Potters Bar Town (3-1), Margate (3-1), Whitehawk (1-0) and Kingstonian (3-1). They drew with Horsham and were beaten at Folkestone United, Hashtag United and Wingate & Finchley. 

Billericay had two very positive cup runs reaching the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup beating Stowmarket Town, Brightlingsea Regent and St Albans City before losing at Sheppey United after a replay. In the FA Trophy, they reached the 3rd Round beating Felixstowe & Walton United, Bury Town and Tamworth before losing to National League Wealdstone. Leading scorer is ex-Wand Bradley Stevenson with 16 goals

Although a tough test against one of the promotion favourites this should be a good, competitive game and one Cray will be doing their best to get something from.

Admission £12/£7/£3/£1 – on gate (card only) or online at – https://billericaytownfc.ktckts.com/event/bil2324h13/billericay-town-vs-cray-wanderers