It’s all eyes on the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon as Cray Wanderers take on Tonbridge Angels at Flamingo Park looking to reach the First Round of the FA Cup for the first time in The Wands 164 year history. 

Cray go into the game on the back of a penalty shootout defeat in the FA Trophy at Brentwood last weekend, drawing 1-1 before losing 4-3 on penalties, Lateef Adaja with the equalising goal for The Wands.

Neil Smith’s side have struggled in the league so far, currently sitting bottom of the Isthmian League Premier Division with 4 points from 7 league matches, but they have battled their way through five games to reach this stage of the competition.

The Wands have knocked out Larkfield & New Hythe along with Wingate & Finchley in replays before a stylish 3-0 win over Hastings Utd in the third qualifying round.

Tonbridge Angels make the short journey across Kent sitting ninth in National League South, last Saturday The Angels lost 3-1 at Slough Town in the league, Liam Vincent with the only goal for Jay Saunders’ side. So far this season the Longmead based side have picked up 17 points from 10 league games, only a point off the top seven.  

The Angels secured their place in the fourth qualifying round with 2-1 home wins in both previous rounds defeating Merstham and Walton & Hersham.   

Cray have only reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup twice before, losing away at Grays Athletic in 2005 & Canvey Island in 2020, but this is the first time they have been drawn at home.

Tonbridge last reached the first round in 2020, when they played Bradford City, which sadly was played behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.   

With a large crowd expected, tickets for the game are £12 for adults & £6 for concessions and can be purchased from the official club website. There is also an excellent printed programme for £3. Kick off is at 3pm. 

Images courtesy of Dave Budden