Cray Wanderers first fixture of December sees Godalming Town make the visit to Hayes Lane on Sunday afternoon. Kick off is 3pm.
Cray are looking to maintain a five game unbeaten league run which continued after Tuesday evening’s excellent win at Hythe Town and to keep in touch with what looks like being a heavily congested playoff picture. The Wands sit seventh in the league table and with so much football still to be played are in a good position to be in at this usually busy time of the season.
The Wands recent run has been remarkable for the fact that they have been behind in every game and the teams resilience is admirable and the team spirit very high right now. The Wands were two behind against Whyteleafe and Chipstead before coming back to get a result. Against Horsham and Hythe they trailed in those games for about a minute in each and also trailed at Molesey early in the second half.
The performances of skipper Lea Dawson have been a major factor in the recent run and has scored five goals this season and he has shown incredible leadership, determination and drive. Danny Haynes is looking to continue his club record breaking run of scoring in each of his last ten games and is incredibly sharp.
Jey Siva has had a very consistent season since he came in for the injured Grant Basey back in September and was the supporters Man of the Match on Tuesday night, good going forward and incredibly disciplined with his defensive duties. Also a word for goalkeeper Sam Roach who has played very well in the three games he’s played since Nick Blue’s injury and looks a fine young prospect.
On Tuesday, the whole team played well against a very good side and there was a real togetherness about them which augurs well for the coming weeks.
Our opponents on Sunday, Godalming Town have had a difficult first season back in the Ryman set up after a few seasons in the Southern League and Dean Thomas’ side sit at the bottom of the table with six points from their 21 games.
It would be foolhardy to dismiss them though as we have found in virtually every game played this season all the teams in the Ryman South are incredibly competitive and never let you rest. This was the case when we met at Wey Court back on the 24th September when a Haynes header in the first half was enough to win a game Cray were hanging on to win by the end albeit with ten men.
Cray and Godalming first met in the league in 2006 in the Ryman South and the teams have played five times in all with both sides winning twice and one draw. The last time they came to Hayes Lane was on the opening day of the 2008-09 season with Cray winning 3-2 with Steve Aris, Tommy Whitnell and Shaun Beveney scoring that day.
Since our days in the Ryman Premier, Godalming have had some fluctuating fortunes, twice reaching the playoffs in 2009-10 and 2011-12 before being moved to the Southern League Central and West Divisions. After finishing tenth last season they were transferred back to the Ryman South.
Cray games at Hayes Lane this season have been very exciting with some fantastic goals scored and have been dramatic right up to the final whistle.