Saturday sees the start of the 2017-18 Buildbase FA Trophy and Cray Wanderers are in Preliminary Round action against Horsham at Hayes Lane. 
Should the game end in a draw the replay would be expected to be played next Tuesday, 10th October down at Lancing FC. If this is the case or Faversham draw their tie then the league match at Faversham on Tuesday evening will be rearranged. The winners of this tie will be at home to Grays Athletic or Norwich United on 28th October.
This is the second straight Saturday the two sides have met after Cray won 3-0 at Culver Road last weekend in the Bostik South but this will be a different game and like all cup ties will be extremely competitive. Cray started very impressively in that match going 3-0 up in just over half an hour but Horsham showed a lot of what they are capable of in the second half so will be a tough game.
Since Saturday, Cray continued their good recent form with a hugely satisfying 3-1 win against Phoenix Sports at Hayes Lane on Wednesday night made it four wins in a row in league and cups. Michael Power continued his rich vein of form with two goals taking his tally to 7 in 4 games and there were good performances throughout the side.
The side created chances and Karl Dent, Lea Dawson, Zak Henry and Aaron Rhule were the creative hub of the team. New signing Jerome Federico made his debut and impressed many with his quality on the wing. Also, another recent signing, Kyron Lighfoot scored his first goal for Cray in the last minute in only his second appearance for the Wands in a move set up by the other two subs, Freddie Parker and Michael Frieter. 
Defensively Cray have been resolute and were again on Wednesday restricting Phoenix to few chances and only conceded with the last kick of the match and that was from a free kick. Tony Russell will have Mitchell Nelson and Bradley Stevenson available from suspension but there is a verve about the side right now and there are good options for the manager and strength in depth.
Horsham bounced back from their home defeat to the Wands by winning 2-1 at Shoreham on Tuesday with goals by Lewis Hyde and George Landais thereby completing a league double over their near neighbours. They lie 19th in the Bostik South table with ten points but Dominic Di Paola’s side will offer a tough challenge and Cray will have to be at their best to advance to the 1st Qualifying Round. In the FA Cup they reached the 2nd Qualifying Round beating Chertsey and Ashford United before losing at home to Herne Bay. In the Velocity League Cup they advanced past Burgess Hill in the First Round and will be at home to Dorking Wanderers in the 2nd Round in November.
Cray reached the 3rd Qualifying Round in 2014-15 which is their best run and last season made it to the 2nd Qualifying Round beating Carshalton Athletic and Marlow before losing rather unluckily to Worthing at home. Horsham made it to the 1st Qualifying Round last season beating Potters Bar Town before losing at home to Romford.
This should be a cracking cup tie played on Non-League Day, a celebration of all that is good in the Non-League game and the start of the road to Wembley.