Cray Wanderers bring the curtain down on a momentous first season at Flamingo Park in one of the games of the day in the Isthmian Premier with league leaders Dartford the visitors.
The scene is set on Easter Monday for a day of drama at the top of the league with not only Dartford but Billericay Town and Horsham, two points behind the Darts all away from home and a slip up for one or two would leave the last day of the season on Saturday very interesting. Dartford, on 83 points could be promoted as Champions with a win against the Wands coupled with either draws or defeats for Billiercay and Horsham who visit Canvey Island and Bognor Regis Town respectively.
The Wands in tenth place on 60 points come into the game on the back of the biggest away defeat of the season, 0-3 at Horsham on Friday. However, a sense of perspective is perhaps needed as the game was on a knife edge going into the last fifteen minutes and two goals came when Cray were reduced in numbers following red cards for Eze Ebouzeme and Tom Bonner although both should be available for the Dartford match.
With one game at Lewes to follow on Saturday, Tim O’Shea will be able to finish the season looking ahead to next season with his appointment confirmed for the 2025-26 season.
Cray’s performances against the top 5 sides have been very good and took four points off Billericay and the win there on 5th April is beginning to look a key result in deciding the championship.
The Wands could also take positives from the performance at Princes Park on Boxing Day where Cray led at half time through Josh Williams strike and could have scored more before two cracking goals from the Darts’ Ollie Box won the game 2-1 for Dartford.
Dartford after a very sticky spell in September and October when they found themselves below mid-table have been on an incredible run losing just two out of the last 28 league games following a 2-1 win vs Cheshunt on 9th November and are unbeaten in six games.
On Good Friday Dartford ended Dover Athletic’s slim title hopes with a 3-1 win at Princes Park with goals from Stephen Carruthers, Denzelle Olopade in the first half and Josh Hill just after half time.
Away from home Addy Pennock’s side have won at Cray Valley PM (2-1), Carshalton Athletic (1-0), Hastings United (3-0), Horsham (3-1), Folkestone Invicta (1-0), Canvey Island (1-0), Chatham Town (2-0), Wingate & Finchley (2-1), Bowers & Pitsea (3-1), Hendon (3-2), Bognor Regis Town (2-0), Dulwich Hamlet (3-0) and Whitehawk (1-0). They drew at Potters Bar Town (1-1), Hashtag United (3-3) and Chichester City (2-2) with defeats at Dover Athletic (1-5), Billericay Town (0-4), Cheshunt (0-3) and Lewes (1-3). At home Dartford beat Canvey Island (2-0), Chatham Town (3-1), Cheshunt (2-1), Lewes (2-0), Bognor Regis Town (4-0), Cray Wanderers (2-1), Whitehawk (4-1), Billericay Town (4-0), Hashtag United (2-0), Horsham (2-1), Hastings United (2-0) and Dover Athletic (3-1). Dartford drew with Hendon, Cray Valley PM, Dulwich Hamlet, Chichester City and Folkestone Invicta and were beaten by Potters Bar Town, Bowers & Pitsea and Wingate & Finchley. Olly Box is the top scorer with 14 goals.
Dartford finish the season at home to Carshalton Athletic on Saturday while Billericay Town host Cheshunt and Horsham play Hashtag United.
Please note that it is expected to be the biggest crowd of the season so will be busy. Supporters are advised to arrive early with the gates opening at 12 pm. Tickets are available, £12 adults, £6 concessions, U16-U13s on the gate but is suggested to buy online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets/