Cray Wanderers play the first of back to back away Kent derbies on Saturday 14th December as the Wands visit Isthmian Premier league leaders Dover Athletic for the first time since August 2007.
Cray come into the game in good heart after successive 1-0 wins at Bowers & Pitsea and on Tuesday against Chichester City and are unbeaten in three league games. On Tuesday, Cray had to show their mettle on a cold night and created the better chances before the dismissal of Quade Taylor before the half hour. However early in the second half Chichester also were down to ten men and Cray edged ahead through Nathan Jeche’s close range strike in the 77th minute.
The Wands saw out the remaining minutes to pick up back to back league wins for the second time this season to move up to sixteenth in the table on 22 points after 19 games. Defensively Cray have been sound since a 1-4 defeat to Chatham Town in mid October and have conceded only five goals in eleven games picking up 18 points in 11 games.
Certainly that form will be tested against Dover Athletic who have returned to the Isthmian Premier this season following relegation from the National South last season.
Jake Leberl’s side top the table with forty three points from 19 games and have a six points lead at the top from Billericay Town and are unbeaten in 11 games including 9 wins.
Last Saturday, Dover were impressive 4-1 winners at Dulwich Hamlet coming from an early goal down to win with goals from Ruben Soares-Junior (2), league top scorer George Nikaj (16 goals) and Alfie Matthews.
At home Dover Athletic have beaten Chichester City (5-2), Dartford (5-1), Bognor Regis Town (1-0), Hashtag United (4-2), Potters Bar Town (3-0) and Canvey Island (3-2) and drawn with Cray Valley PM (2-2). Their only defeats came against Folkestone Invicta (2-3) and Wingate & Finchley (1-2).
Dover are unbeaten away from home and have beaten Potters Bar Town (8-0), Horsham (3-1), Whitehawk (2-0), Folkestone Invicta (1-0), Bowers & Pitsea (2-0), Lewes (3-1) and Dulwich Hamlet (4-1) and drew at Billericay Town, Carshalton Athletic and Chatham Town.
In the FA Cup and FA Trophy, Dover Athletic were beaten in both competitions at home to Sittingbourne but are through to the Semi-Finals of the Kent Senior Cup after beating Cray Valley PM and Deal Town.
This will be the first time Cray have visited the Crabble since the 2007-08 season with Dover winning 3-2 in August 2007 with the Wands scorers, Danny Whelan and an own goal. The sides drew 1-1 at Hayes Lane in December 2007 with Michael Power scoring a penalty. The two teams did meet in the Kent Senior Cup in January 2011 with Cray winning 3-1 at Hayes Lane with goals from Tony Dolby, Tyrone Sterling and Jack Clark.
This will be a tough challenge for Neil Smith’s side and shows how strong the Isthmian League Premier is this season but can go into the game with confidence and should be a great pre-Christmas fixture.
Admission £15 adults, £14 concessions, £9 U18s.
Pictures supplied by Ben Keyes.