Cray Wanderers returned to the Isthmian Premier Division after a five season absence after winning the very first Isthmian South-East Division in 2018-19 and have made a satisfactory start to the season lying at the time of writing in a very creditable 6^th place on 34 points, seven behind joint leaders Folkestone Invicta and Worthing.

Cray’s highest ever league position was 9^th, twice in 2010-11 and 2011-12 and there was a quiet optimism at the start of the season that the possibility at least of a new high league position was attainable with the playing squad assembled. 

Into the side in the summer were goalkeeper Lewis Carey, midfielder Charlie Allen and forwards Andre Coker and Tommy Murphy.  The main bulk of the side remained although there was a fond farewell to title winners, Nick Blue (Glebe), Junior Dadson (Barking), Archie Johnson (Welling United), Marcus Evans (Whitstable Town) and Sean Roberts (VCD Athletic).

If there has been one recurring theme to the season so far it has been injuries with a fairly thin squad in regards to numbers and influential central defender Jay Leader, the Isthmian South-East player of the year, was sidelined for the early weeks requiring nasal surgery and didn’t start until mid-October.

During the early months, injuries to midfielder Tom Phipp as well as Coker, Murphy, captain Barney Williams and, winger Jerome Federico have often narrowed the options for manager Tony Russell.

Considering the fact that they have rarely been full strength, performances have been good and but for perhaps one too many draws early on Cray could have been even closer to the top.

Joe Taylor has been in razor sharp form and after his arrival at the club from Margate in November 2018, he ended last season joint top scorer and to date leads the scoring charts with 24 for the season in all competitions and also provides plenty of assists.   

Talented young players like Lee Lewis, Freddie Parker, Geofrey Okonkwo have shone and also when a bit short of numbers, the club have looked to Hertfordshire for some loan players with central defender Harry Hudson spending a successful two month spell from Watford between August-October while in November, Joel Rollinson came to the club on a three month loan deal from Stevenage and scored 38 seconds into his debut vs Cheshunt. 

Defensively, Leader since coming back now, Mitchell Nelson, Barney Williams and Tom Carlse have been superb and only up to last weekend they have rarely had a bad day while Lewis Carey has looked a very decent replica for Nick Blue. 

Cray began August with a well-earned draw against cup fighters Kingstonian and then fell to an unlucky defeat at home to Folkestone Invicta under the lights at Hayes Lane where Cray led 2-1 with ten minutes left, hit the bar three times but Invicta scored twice to win the game and give a harsh lesson to the league newcomers.  Following a 0-0 draw at home to Corinthian Casuals, the first win arrived on 21^st August at home to Margate also in an evening match with Freddie Parker scoring twice and Joe Taylor against his former club. The month ended with a point at Potters Bar Town with Taylor scoring seven minutes into injury time.

Going into September home draws against grizzled opposition in Haringey Borough and East Thurrock United showed battling qualities as Cray came from behind against both to draw 1-1 but on 17^th September came a real signal of intent as the Wands won 5-1 in a first ever visit to Bishop’s Storftord with Taylor and Tom Murphy scoring twice and Karl Dent on target.

The FA Cup saw Cray go past three qualifying rounds against Hythe Town, Bedfont Sports and Soham Town Rangers scoring 12 goals in the process.

Unfortunately, Haringey Borough on 5^th October were just too stubborn an opponent at the real White Hart Lane and Borough edged the tie 0-1 and Cray’s hopes of reaching the 4^th Qualifying Round for the second time was dashed. 

Also in October, Cray were beginning to put a good run of results together beating Bowers & Pitsea at home and after a 3-5 home defeat to Enfield Town, seven points from three away games at Merstham, Lewes and Horsham after trailing in all three showed real momentum.  The only real blip was a 0-3 defeat at Maldon & Tiptree in the FA Trophy.

Into November and a dramatic 2-2 draw with Worthing at Hayes Lane was followed by three wins on the bounce at home to Cheshunt where Joe Taylor scored his second hat-trick of the season and at Wingate & Finchley and at Brightlingsea Regent where the win moved Cray up to 3^rd place in the table. 

Since then a good Carshalton Athletic ended what was an unbeaten away league record on 30^th November and after a polished and classy performance brushed aside Potters Bar Town on December 7^th, last Saturday saw the first real fork in the road as Bognor Regis Town beat a rather depleted Cray side 7-2 which leaves Cray in sixth place ahead of the Festive fixtures at home to Leatherhead on Boxing Day and at Margate on New Years Day. 

Before that Cray Wanderers on Saturday travel to Worthing in the Isthmian League Cup, a competition Cray haven’t competed in since 2014.

Despite the injuries which have not helped, Cray have had a very good start to the season, taking in some fine clubs with strong histories and Cray have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Promotion or a playoff place would be an added bonus but this would be a tough ask albeit not for the want of trying.