Cray Wanderers look to continue their good week and make it three wins in a row as they take on title contenders Dorking Wanderers at Hayes Lane on Saturday.
This will be the first ever league meeting between the sides at Hayes Lane and one which should be a great test for Tony Russell’s side.
Cray ended their eight game winless run at Whyteleafe last Saturday and carried on that momentum with a very good showing against Herne Bay on Wednesday which perhaps deserved better than the final 2-1 scoreline. The return of Danny Haynes added some real pace to the attack and but for the Herne Bay keeper could well have been celebrating a hat-trick of goals.
His link up play with Luke Medley is also impressive as has been the midfield with Lee Prescott in great form with two fine goals in the last two games. Karl Dent has looked back to his best whilst Lea Dawson and Sean Roberts add steel and guile to the side.
Tony Russell was very proud of his young defence on Wednesday night which included Ben Mundele, Timi Osidobu, Jai McKinlay and Zak Henry and they all put in great shifts with McKinlay topping off his display with his first goal for the club.
Also, Nick Blue made important saves at key moments at 0-0 and just before half time and there seems to be tremendous team spirit and drive as the season goes into its final month. Certainly Tony felt the second half performance was excellent and the team are looking to build on that victory.
Saturday though will be a tough test as Dorking are a very good side and are very much still in contention for the Ryman South title. Tom Duke’s side won 3-0 at home to South Park on Tuesday night which puts them three points behind league leaders Tooting & Mitcham United with the two sides due to meet at Dorking on the final day of the season.
With the team on 92 points with five games to go it seems highly likely they could reach 100+ points for the season and have already surpassed last season’s points total of 90 when they finished third.
Dorking started the season very well and have been top of the table or second for a great chunk of the season. Away form has been excellent with 13 wins on their travels which include wins at Hastings, Hythe and Lewes and just three defeats (against Corinthian Casuals, Horsham and Tooting & Mitcham).
James McShane is their leading scorer with 21 goals and it was he who got the winner when the two teams met at Dorking on 10th September. Cray took the lead with a Jonte Smith penalty before Dan Evans levelled before half time with McShane’s winner coming four minutes into the second half.
There is no doubt this will be a stern test but with confidence restored this week this promises to be a competitive encounter and lively game between two sides that play similar brands of football.