After five consecutive home league games in January Cray Wanderers thoughts now turn to three straight away games and begin on Tuesday 25th January with a trip to 3rd place Lewes at the Dripping Pan.
Kick off is 7.45pm.
The Wands confidence will certainly be high following the remarkable 5-4 win against Carshalton Athletic on Saturday which was a real rollercoaster of emotions for players, management and supporters alike.
After going two nil down fairly early on Cray staged a dramatic fight back before half time and scored three goals in the last eleven minutes with two superb Cameron Brodie strikes taking his tally in 2022 to four goals and a Chris Dickson strike in between Carshalton scoring a third.
After falling behind again early in the second half, quality finishes from Luca Albon, his first goal for Cray and Jamie Yila taking his tally to the season to ten capped a fine comeback and moved Cray out of the bottom three onto 23 points.
The team showed great character and fight to beat Carshalton and also claim their first league double of the season. Other key moments include three excellent saves from Bailey Vose, the return of Jai Reason and the impact he gives the team while Jacob Munting looks a fine signing and in the second half Yila was unplayable at times but Brodie too was exceptional including a key block in his own area early in the second half.
There is no doubt about it that one tough game follows another and Cray will have to be at their very best to beat a Lewes side who have been one of the form sides during December-January. The Rooks currently sit 3rd in the table on 47 points, 7 behind leader Worthing and are the top scorers in the division with 64 goals.
Cray produced one of their best performances of the season on the opening day beating Lewes 3-1 at Hayes Lane with Anthony Cook scoring twice and Jamie Yila scoring a third with Ollie Tanner replying for Lewes. That hot August afternoon seems a very long time ago now but the Wands under Grant Basey can go into the match with a bit of heart and the confidence to try and repeat that performance.
Tony Russell’s Lewes side on Saturday drew 2-2 with Brightlingsea Regent after being two nil up in the first twelve minutes. Another ex-Wand Joe Taylor scored both goals and took his tally to the season to an impressive 25 with still three months of the season to go.
Home form has been pretty decent all season and have picked up wins against Enfield Town (4-1), Leatherhead (5-0), Carshalton Athletic (1-0), Haringey Borough (4-2), Folkestone Invicta (3-0), Bognor Regis Town (2-0) and Merstham (3-0). Lewes drew with Cheshunt (2-2), Horsham (0-0) and Brightlingsea Regent (2-2).
Their only defeats at home were against Hornchurch (1-3), Corinthian Casuals (1-2) and Potters Bar Town (1-5). Away from home Lewes won at Potters Bar Town (3-1), Merstham (3-1), Brightlingsea Regent (3-0), Margate (6-2), Bowers & Pitsea (3-1), Horsham (3-1) and Enfield Town (4-1). They drew at Bishop’s Stortford and Wingate & Finchley and were beaten at Cray Wanderers, Worthing, East Thurrock United and Kingstonian. In the cups, Lewes were beaten at home by Met Police in the FA Cup 1QR and at Bishop’s Stortford in the FA Trophy.
Cray’s record at Lewes isn’t great but did win the last time the sides met there in October 2019, 3-2 where Mitchell Nelson and Taylor who both now play for the Rooks scored along with an Andre Coker goal in the season that was null and voided.
This game doesn’t really need a big build up as has been a match Wands fans have been looking forward too but there is no doubt about it, it will be a tough test in East Sussex on Tuesday night but should be a great football match between two attractive football playing sides.
Pics: Jon Hilliger – www.hilligerpix.com