Cray Wanderers conclude a busy run of away Tuesday matches this evening as the Wands head to Folkestone Invicta in a game with great meaning at both ends of the Isthmian Premier League table.
Kick off 7.45pm.
Cray Wanderers come into the game on a three game unbeaten run which has taken them out of the bottom three on goal difference against a high quality Folkestone side who lie 6th just a point outside the playoffs. On Saturday Cray had to show a lot of resolve and determination to draw at Wingate & Finchley and after Chris Dickson put Cray in front in the 2nd minute had to play 80 minutes with Anthony Cook in goal after Bailey Vose was injured.
After going 2-1 down Cray fought back to level on the hour through a Nazir Bakrin header. In the end a point was the least Grant Basey’s side deserved for their afternoon‘s efforts with the likes of Cameron Brodie, Jacob Munting, Jamie Yila and Kyel Reid and Dickson having fine games and considering the games events and Sam Wood missing the game with a groin injury.
With twelve games of the season to go at this point in time this is the final scheduled midweek game after a hectic period for Cray with Saturday-Tuesday/Wednesday matches in plentiful supply since Cray and Folkestone Invicta met at Hayes Lane on 24th November when the sides drew 2-2.
Neil Cugley’s side have been one of the front runners all season and have had an excellent campaign in league and cups. Folkestone though are three league games without a win after a 4-1 defeat at fellow promotion candidates Hornchurch on Saturday. Joint top scorer David Smith levelled for Folkestone early in the second half before Hornchurch won the game.
This will be a tough ask for Cray as Folkestone are unbeaten in the league at Cheriton Road all season with only Eastleigh in an FA Cup replay coming away with a win and that was after extra-time. They were close to losing that record last Tuesday but a last gasp equaliser against Bowers & Pitsea earned a 2-2 draw.
At home Folkestone have beaten Worthing (3-1), Horsham (2-1), Brightlingsea Regent (5-1), Kingstonian (5-1), Haringey Borough (5-0), Merstham (6-1) and Leatherhead (3-0). Invicta drew with Enfield Town (0-0), Potters Bar Town (3-3), Hornchurch (0-0), Bishop’s Stortford (0-0), Carshalton Athletic (1-1) and Bowers & Pitsea (2-2) Away from home wins were picked up at Corinthian Casuals (1-0), Merstham (2-0), Bognor Regis Town (4-2), Wingate & Finchley (4-1), Enfield Town (3-2) and Potters Bar Town (7-0). In the FA Cup Invicta beat Corinthian, Ashford Town (Middx) and Gloucester before losing to Eastleigh following a replay in the 4QR.
There was also a run to the 4th Round of the FA Trophy beating Hendon, Faversham, Hartley Wintney and Uxbridge before losing at National League Wrexham last month. They are also through to the 4th Round of the Isthmian League Cup after beating Cheshunt and meet Cray Valley PM next Tuesday.
Meetings between the sides at Folkestone have been few in recent years but Cray did win impressively 3-1 at Folkestone last time they played in September 2020 with goals from Joe Taylor, Charlie Allen and Rhys Murrell-Williamson.
In the 24th November meeting at Hayes Lane, Smith gave Folkestone an early lead but goals from Anthony Cook and Jai Reason put Cray in front. However, Folkestone levelled in the last minute through Callum Davies but Cray were full value for a point that night. Andy Drury who was Cray Wanderers’ Assistant Player manager at that time has since joined Folkestone Invicta.
This should be an exciting game at the excellent facilities at Folkestone and always special under the lights. As both teams look for points for differing reasons this could be a key game of the evening.
Admission – £11 adults, £8 concessions/Students, £3 Juniors, U5s free with paying adult.
Pics: Jon Hilliger – www.hilligerpix.com