This evening sees FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round replay action as Cray Wanderers head to Ramsgate following Sunday afternoon’s draw for the right to face Frome Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round. 

Kick off at Southwood Road is 7.45 pm.  Please note the game must be played to a finish with extra-time or penalties required.

Sunday’s game was a decent cup tie which really came alive just before the hour after Yahya Bamba headed Cray in front for his third goal in two matches.   Then ten minutes later, Nyren Clunis continued his rich vein of form with a classy second goal making it three in three games to make it 2-0.

Ramsgate though continued to stay in the tie and turned the game around with two goals in four minutes both scored by Joe Taylor, the first from the penalty spot in the 86th minute and then headed in an Alfie Paxman corner with the match going into its final minute.

Despite being pegged back there were positives in the Wands performance with David Ijaha outstanding and building a good combination with Frankie Raymond in midfield.  Clunis and Bamba are in good goalscoring form and defensively the two full backs, Lee Lewis and Will Wood are in good form along with the centre-backs and George Porter had a good game up front.

Ramsgate though are high in confidence after a good start to the Isthmian South-East season and Ben Smith’s side are strong and experienced so it will be a good test for the Wands this evening under the lights in perhaps difficult conditions and had to show good character to fight back so late on Sunday.

This will be the first ever FA Cup tie between the sides at Ramsgate and promises to be another cracking game between teams reaching good form and proof how compelling and relevant the FA Cup still is for clubs at non-league level as they get through the qualifying rounds and the financial benefits of progressing.  The FA Cup is still the greatest cup competition in the world and helps clubs below the Football League live the dream.

Photos supplied by Jonas Lustosa.