Cray Wanderers continue a run of away games on Saturday with a visit to Folkestone Invicta in a match that pits 19th vs 13th in the Isthmian Premier league table but separated by just three points. 

Kick off at the Alcaline Stadium, 3pm.

The Wands four game unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday night in a hard fought derby at Cray Valley PM which saw an incredible start with Lateef Adaja’s second goal of the season after just 19 seconds.  Despite defending well for over an hour and over four and a half games without conceding a league goal, two goals in four minutes turned the game in Cray Valley’s favour and in the end were beaten 2-1.  

The defeat moved Cray Wanderers back into the bottom four into 19th place onto 12 points

With league visits to Potters Bar and Canvey Island to follow in the next two weekends the Wands will need to continue to be at their most resolute but there have been signs in the last month that despite the league position performances have been good without always the end product to show for it.  Two new forward players made their debuts as substitutes on Tuesday night, Josh Williams and Nathan Jeche in a bid to improve the goals output but Charlie Edwards has been in good form with three goals in the last three league games.

Folkestone Invicta come into the game in 13th place on 15 points and after two league defeats but both in close games at Carshalton Athletic (1-2) last Saturday and on Tuesday were beaten in a local derby at home to Dover Athletic (0-1) and this will be the second of five successive home matches..

At home, Folkestone have beaten Hendon (2-0) and drawn with Carshalton Athletic (1-1) and Hashtag United (1-1) and were beaten by Cray Valley PM (0-1), Billericay Town (0-3) and Dover Athletic (0-1). Away from home Invicta won at Dover Athletic (3-2), Hastings United (2-1) and Canvey Island (1-0), drew at Wingate & Finchley and lost at Chichester City and Carshalton Athletic.  Folkestone have advanced in the FA Trophy with wins at home to Ascot United (8-1) and at Barton Rovers (3-0) and are at home to Hanwell Town in the 2nd Round next Saturday.  In the FA Cup, Folkestone were beaten in the 1st QR at Ramsgate and like Cray were beaten on penalties by Phoenix Sports in the Kent Senior Cup in the 1st Round. Daniel Smith is the leading scorer with 10 goals.

Andy Drury’s side and Cray Wanderers were closely matched last season in the league with Folkestone finishing 16th and Cray 17th both with 50 points.  When the two teams last met at the Alcaline Stadium on 6th February, the match finished in a dramatic 2-2 draw after Folkestone led 2-0 with goals from David Smith and Seidou Sanogo but Cray fought back late with goals from Ellis Brown and Anthony Cook.  The corresponding game at Hayes Lane on 24th March was much quieter with Folkestone winning 1-0 with David Smith scoring the winner.  Overall though the teams have met many times including in the Isthmian League years but not too many recent matches on a Saturday with the last four league visits taking place on Tuesday nights.

A trip to Folkestone is always one of the great away days of the season and to a ground steeped in tradition and matches there are always competitive and incident packed.

Admission £12 adults, £9 concessions, £6 young adult.