Cray Wanderers get back to Isthmian League Premier Division action on Boxing Day when they take on Margate at Hayes Lane.
The Wands have a very busy festive period with three home games in a week and will be hoping that they can start 2024 a little further away from the relegation zone than they currently are. Last time out Neil Smith’s side lost 1-0 at Hashtag Utd, having had Tom Bonner sent off in the first half. The defeat left Cray sitting in eighteenth with 19 points from 18 games, just above the bottom four on goal difference.
Margate travel across Kent sitting two places and one point ahead of The Wands, with 20 points from 20 league matches, last time out Gate drew 2-2 at home to Kingstonian, Tyrone Sterling & Steve Cawley on target for Mark Stimson’s side. Sterling will be well known to the home fans having had a superb spell at Cray Wands at the start of his career and also been involved with the community scheme. Stimson only took charge of Margate at the start of December and will be aiming for his new side to be picking up their first win since the start of November. Cray are also without a win since 11th November having drawn three and lost two since then.
This should be an enthralling and entertaining encounter between two sides looking to get away from the relegation zone as the team starts to take shape heading into the new year.
On Saturday 23rd Cray Wanderers held an open training session at their new ground on the A20, with things starting to take shape ahead of the proposed move there for next season.
Entrance for the game is £12 for adults and £6 for concessions, there is also an excellent printed programme at £2.
Kick off is at 1pm.