Following Cray Wanderers remarkable 9-1 win over Ashford United in midweek, Saturday afternoon sees a top of the table clash when The Wands take on Lewes at Hayes Lane in the Bostik League Division One South.

Cray went top for the first time this season after Wednesday’s win taking over from Lewes, the long time leaders, but The Rooks do still have a game in hand on their rivals sitting two points behind.  

The Wands only league defeat of the season came at the hands of Lewes in September, with Tony Russell’s side having two players sent off at the Dripping Pan in a 2-1 defeat. The manager will be keen to make sure his side keep their discipline and hopefully get a little more luck when it comes to close calls.  

The Rooks appear to have had ‘the sign’ over Cray in recent years, but this Wanderers team look to be a difficult to match for anyone at this level on current form, unbeaten in 24 league games.

The win over Ashford was watched by 239 at Hayes Lane and there should be an even bigger gate on Saturday with another strong travelling support and the pull of a potentially significant result in the battle for promotion.

Lewes defeated Chipstead 1-0 last Saturday with a goal two minutes from time, winning their last two after a slight blip in results around Christmas, including a New Years Day defeat at Horsham on a 3G pitch similar to the one at Hayes Lane.

Darren Freeman’s side have set the pace all season though and will be looking to regain the lead here.  

This should be a fiercely contested match between two very good sides who will both be looking to strike a psychological blow as the season heats up.