Cray Wanderers make their third away trip in a week on Tuesday as they travel down to Hastings United in the Bostik South.
Kick off at Pilot Field is 7.45pm.
The Wands are unbeaten in twelve matches in league and cups but will have to be as resolute and disciplined as in previous games to head back with three more points. Cray moved up to fourth after their win at South Park on Saturday with 30 points whilst Hastings United lie 17th with 16 points.
The victory at South Park was fully merited despite the closeness of the scoreline and defensively Cray have been mean conceding just two goals away from home. Tony Russell has mentioned the team perhaps have to be a bit more ruthless in the final third and to put the games more to bed but they are picking up the points and lie six points off leaders Lewes but also one point behind Greenwich Borough and Corinthian Casuals in second and third. The fact that the second placed team gains automatic promotion means every point gained will be crucial this season.
There were some very good performances at South Park from the pace of Jerome Federico down the right, Michael Frieter and Michael Power gave strong displays in the forward areas and at the back the whole back four were on top form with Jay Leader and Barney Williams in particular impressive and the midfield had full control of the game. With the games coming thick and fast and plenty of travelling taking place it remains to be seen if there the full use of the squad will be utilised with some good options available.
When the two sides met at Hayes Lane in September, Cray dominated the game and led through Brandon Scott‘s well taken goal but were unable to take the chances that came the way to see the game through and were pegged back by a Curtis Gayler penalty for Hastings and the game finished 1-1. Since that game, Hastings have come under new management with Chris Agutter taking over in late September.
Despite being 17th in the table it would be wrong to disregard Hastings which is always a difficult place to go and they have a much younger side than last season and maybe have a lot to prove.
Hastings started the season well with seven points from the first three games but they then went through a run of one point from six games to leave them mid-table at the end of September. Form picked up last month and home wins in the league against Carshalton Athletic and Faversham Town helped them get back on track but have since gone five games in league and cup without a win.
Their home form at Pilot Field has seen wins against Corinthian Casuals, Carshalton and Faversham, a draw against Horsham and were beaten by Lewes, Herne Bay and Thamesmead Town. Last time out they drew 1-1 at Shoreham on Saturday.
In the FA Cup they defeated Sheppey United 2-0 in the Preliminary Round but were beaten at Dulwich Hamlet in the next round. In the FA Trophy Hastings won 1-0 at Romford but were beaten 3-4 at home to Ashford Town (Middlesex) in the 1st Qualifying Round. Leading scorer is Davide Rodari with four goals.
It might be a bit chilly down on the south coast but there should be plenty of good entertainment to warm the fans and will be a very good test of Cray’s promotion ambitions.