Hayes Lane sees its first league action of 2017 today as old rivals Cray Wanderers and Chatham Town meet in a 3pm kick off with implications at both ends of the league table.

The dust has barely settled on Saturday’s afternoon’s drama where Cray prevented what would have been a third straight league defeat with two late goals to grab a point against Ramsgate.  This was the fourth time at home this season where Tony Russell’s side have come from two goals down to either draw or win.

Confidence was rather low after the home defeat to East Grinstead and then defeat to Greenwich on Boxing Day.  There was still some of that in the minds in the early stages of the game on Saturday and Ramsgate took advantage early on to go two up.  Russell was happy though with the number of chances Cray created and eventually after several near misses goals from Danny Haynes and Jey Siva’s deflected injury time leveller salvaged a point against what was a ten man Ramsgate who looked a better side than their league position suggested.  We await to hear news on Jay Leader who left the game with twenty five minutes to go with a nose injury and if there are any more bruises to heal from the game.

Haynes’ goal was his 17^th league of the campaign and with Alfie May leaving Hythe Town for Doncaster Rovers, has gone joint second leading scorer in the Ryman South level with Carshalton’s Sam Bradford and are seven behind leading marksman, Billy Dunn of Greenwich Borough.  The point kept Cray in tenth place, on 40 points.

It has been a rather difficult season for the Wands opponents Chatham Town so far.  The Chats arrive at Hayes Lane after three straight league defeats in 22^nd place in the table on 19 points, five behind Guernsey in the relegation places.  Over Christmas they were beaten at home by Hythe Town and then away at Herne Bay on the 30^th December.   They are also under their third manager of the season after the appointment of former Hollands and Blair boss, Paul Piggott in November.  Tony Beckingham started the season as manager but was replaced by his assistant and former Cray reserve and Academy coach Darren Anslow but he only stayed for a few weeks.

Home form has been a problem for the Chats with just two wins and eleven defeats, however, league position has often counted for nothing this season as every game has been competitive and Chatham have been one of only three sides to have won at league leaders Dorking Wanderers so they will come prepared and with a game plan.  They also have a striker in good form and Luke Medley has fifteen goals to his credit this season.

The two sides met in the league back on the August Bank Holiday Monday (29^th August) at Chatham an the Wands fell behind through a Medley strike but a dazzling individual goal from Brandon Scott made it 1-1 before half time.  In the second half goals from Jonte Smith and Anthony Adesite gave Cray a 3-1 win.  Dane Luchford turned out for Chatham that afternoon.

Cray and Chatham have a rivalry that goes back to the 1900’s in the Kent League and Southern League and then had a couple of battles for the Kent League title in 1979-80 which was won by Chatham whilst the following Cray won the title with Chatham second.

Games at Hayes Lane are never dull.  So far during 2016-17 in 13 home league games there has been 51 goals scored so entertainment and drama is normally always guaranteed.