Bostik South East champions Cray Wanderers showed that they don’t intend to let up with a good victory at Three Bridges.

In the second half after the visitors had gone two up, Goalkeeper Nick Blue and centre back Mitchell Nelson were given a lot of time on the ball as they looked for the right options.

Explaining why Three Bridges seemed reluctant to close them down manager Tony Russell said “We play from the back. I think they were a little bit fearful of us. They paid us respect, some might say too much respect.

“It was a good away performance and that’s how we’ve been all season. We’ve been a very professional group. I thought we passed the ball well, particularly as it’s a difficult pitch, a small pitch as well. That’s been ninety per cent of the games. We dominated the ball and we dominated the game.

He went on to say “We made a lot of changes today. The boy in midfield, Charles Etumnu, was making his debut today from the (under) 23s. I thought that he was excellent. We’re going to take the opportunity in both games to make lots of changes. I think that it’s important that when we make all those changes they still play like that. It stands us in good stead.”

One player who Wanderers supporters will be glad to see back is captain Barney Williams. Russell said “He got a really nasty injury. He’s been brilliant for us. He’s a class act and the captain and he was out for months and months. He was dying to get back in. He played for the 23s on Monday and got sixty minutes. I’m not sure that we can wheel him out on Monday.”

Williams may miss out but there will be changes for their Easter Monday home game with Sevenoaks Town. “Everyone who didn’t start today will start on Monday.” said Russell. “We’ve got another good really exciting young prospect, a sixteen year old who we think the world of. I honestly think he’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen so he’s going to start that game.”

Now that promotion is guaranteed, Russell is looking towards next season. “I had a conversation with the club on Thursday and agreed everything. I know what the budget is and we’ll get this weekend out of the way and we’ll start to plan. I’ve been planting seeds. Everyone except the goalkeeper, Bluey (Nick Blue), who can’t commit to the next level, has indicated that they’d like to stay.”

With a new stadium being built and promotion to the Bostik Premier guaranteed, the future looks bright for Cray Wanderers.

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.