Cray Wanderers start 2023 with an Isthmian League Premier Division home game against Herne Bay on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon at Hayes Lane.
The Wands go into the game sitting in third place with 39 points from 23 league matches played, having won 3-0 away at Margate on Boxing Day with goals from Tom Derry, Anthony Cook and new signing Joshua Allen.
Neil Smith’s side have been on a good run of late, going undefeated in December and unbeaten in the league going back to mid-November, which has seen them move into the play off places.
Herne Bay make the trip from the coast across Kent sitting in 21st place with 11 points from 20 league games.
On Boxing Day they lost 2-1 at home to Folkestone Invicta a loss than ended an unbeaten run of four games prior to that.
Mason Saunders-Henry scored the goal for Bay, which put them in front only for new manager Kevin Watson’s side to be pegged back just before half time and concede another in the second half in front of nearly 600 at Winch’s Field, Bay also had a goal disallowed late on.
With four teams going down this season, Herne Bay are seven points adrift of safety and will be keen to start the new year with a win and start to move up the table.
This is the first meeting between the sides this season, last season Herne Bay were promoted from Division One South East via the play offs, while Cray Wands survived relegation from the Premier Division on the last day of the season.
Entrance for the game is £12 for adults and £6 for concessions, Bromley FC adult season ticket holders can attend for £6, there is also an excellent printed programme for £2. Kick off is 3pm.