Cray Wanderers bring the curtain down on a busy September on Saturday as Neil Smith’s side head to Mitcham to face Kingstonian. Kick off 3 pm.
The Wands will be looking to build on the momentum of two successive league wins which moved Cray up to 18th in the league table on six points after a very difficult opening to the season.
Last Saturday Cray earned a hard fought three points against Cheshunt at Hayes Lane with a 2-1 win with goals from Jamie Mascoll and George Porter and definitely the level of performance and victory was akin to last season where Cray picked up many wins from difficult games.
On Tuesday night a pretty strong Wands side advanced in the Kent Senior Cup with an injury time winner from Gary Lockyer in a 3-2 win at Phoenix Sports. Anthony Cook made his 100th Cray Wanderers appearance in the game, and always the consumate professional scored from the penalty spot with Cameron Black also scoring. The Wands had 5 U18s players on the bench which augurs well for the future of the club.
Certainly the team are looking more settled after having players out through suspension and injury in the early weeks of the season and with a spell coming up of three successive away games in league and cup it promises to be a very interesting next few weeks with the season still admittedly in its relatively early stages.
Kingstonian come into the game in 20th place on four points with Simon Lane’s side also looking to get their season going after a slow start. Last Saturday, Kingstonian were beaten 0-2 at Bognor Regis Town.
The K’s finished 18th last season on 39 points ultimately finishing six points clear of relegation. Cray won both league games, 1-0 at Kingstonian on 3rd December courtesy of a Sam Wood header. Then in the final home game of the season the Wands won 2-0 on 15th with goals from Harrison Sodje and Jalen Jones.
So far at home Kingstonian have beaten Canvey Island (2-1) and lost to Lewes (1-3) and Carshalton Athletic (2-3). Away from home Kingstonian drew at Hashtag United and were beaten at Billericay Town, Wingate & Finchley & Bognor Regis Town. In the FA Cup, like Cray, Kingstonian were knocked out in the 2nd Qualifying Round. After beating Lydd Town, the K’s were beaten at Carshalton. In the FA Trophy next Saturday Kingstonian visit Hastings United.
With both teams looking to improve their league positions this will be a game of importance for both sides.
Admission: £12/£8/£6