Cray Wanderers play their first away league game since November 4th on Saturday as the Isthmian Premier’s oldest club take on the youngest with the first ever league match against Hashtag United.
Kick off at the Len Salmon Stadium at 3 pm.
The Wands come into the game unbeaten in five league games and in 16th place on nineteen points but have drawn the last three matches all at home. Last Sunday, Cray looked to be in prime position for victory against Haringey Borough after leading 3-0 at the break with goals from Tom Bonner, Anthony Cook and Ellis Brown.
However, there was a late twist as Haringey scored three late goals to take a point although in hindsight perhaps a point for each side wasn’t quite what they were looking for at the start.
There were some positives particularly the first half performance on Sunday for Cray who were without Nyren Clunis and Yahya Bamba and have become harder to beat in recent games.
This time last season the Wands were in the middle of a good league run from October to February which took Cray into the playoff places and in a very tight league this season a similar consistent run of form over a busy period of games over Christmas and January could do the same again.
Hashtag United are newcomers to the Isthmian Premier after winning the North Division title last season with 98 points and Jay Devereux’s side have settled in well and lie 8th in the table on 26 points. Last Saturday, United were 3-1 winners at home to Canvey Island and on Monday night also won 3-1 at home to Braintree United in the Essex Senior Cup with goals from ex-Wand Alex Teniola, Matthew Wooldridge and Camilo Restrepo.
So far in the league at home, Hashtag have beaten Wingate & Finchley (2-0), Billericay Town (2-1) and Canvey Island (3-1). They drew with Dulwich Hamlet (2-2), Folkestone Invicta (0-0), Kingstonian (2-2) and Chatham Town and the only loss came to Hastings United (1-2). Away from home Hashtag won at Concord Rangers (4-1), Carshalton Athletic (1-0) and Horsham (2-0), drew with Bognor Regis Town, Whitehawk, Margate and Cheshunt and were beaten at Hornchurch and Enfield Town.
In the FA Cup, Hashtag beat Brentwood Town at home but were beaten in the 2QR at home to Needham Market and in the FA Trophy were beaten at South Park in the 3QR. In the Isthmian League Cup, Hashtag advanced past Concord Rangers and in the Essex Senior Cup won at Hornchurch and at home to Braintree Town. Alex Teniola is the leading scorer with 7 goals.
Although the teams have never met in league football the two sides have played in two pre-season friendlies. In July 2021, Cray won 4-1 at Hayes Lane but Hashtag were 3-1 winners in July 2022 in the Jersey Bulls Cup Tournament.
Hashtag United were formed in 2016 by You Tuber Spencer Owen as a club playing Saturday exhibition games which were filmed and became big hits on Instagram and Twitter (now X).
In 2018 the club decided to join the non-league pyramid and in 2018-19 at the first attempt were Eastern Counties League Champions and earned promotion to the Essex Senior League.
They were 2nd when the 2019-20 season was abandoned and after being top in the 2020-21 shortened season were promoted to the Isthmian North on points per game. Hashtag finished 8th in their first season in 2021-22 and last season won the title to take their place in the Isthmian Premier.
With Cray in the middle of a very busy run of home games with the next four following Saturday at Hayes Lane this gives the chance for a change of scenery and a challenge to relish for the players and fans.
Admission £12/£7/£3.
Pictures supplied by Ozay Booth.