Much needed back-to-back wins against Bowers & Pitsea and in midweek against Chichester City have given Cray Wanderers a real boost going into their Christmas fixtures which boss Neil Smith knows could have been an awful lot kinder to the Wands. 

With four of their six games against teams currently in the play-off places and all of them against sides in the top ten, Smith knows it’s going to be a tough festive period of Cray, and it doesn’t start much tougher than on Saturday when they head down the M20 to face leaders Dover Athletic at Crabble. 

“I have had some pretty big games against Dover in my Bromley days and this is another massive game,” the Wands boss admitted.

“They are sitting top of the League whilst we are sixteenth, we know that it’s going to be tough. Jake (LeBerl) has done an amazing job since going in – getting the Club going again as it had lost its way a little bit and we are expecting a very, very difficult game as you can imagine with a big crowd there!” 

“Going into this run of games, the last two games and wins have been really pleasing. Any win is a good win on this tough division. The way that we have had to go about it and be resolute with such a small squad at the moment.

“Trying to get the most out of the players is fantastic, and even the game at Carshalton Athletic where we got a draw against a very strong side, I am really pleased. I think we have had thirteen clean sheets at the moment in all comps! You have to build from the back I believe and get that base, and against teams that are free-flowing and want to score goals.” 

“And we need those wins as we are going into Christmas which is always tough, but has been made more tough this year by playing the top team in the League, teams that are in and around the play-off places, then Hendon and Dulwich who are both there or there abouts for the Play Offs!

“We know it’s going to be difficult and you are going to have to play these sides, we haven’t played the top two yet (Dover and Billericay), so they will be massive, massive games for us. But like we have done all season, we just look at the next game which is Dover and hopefully give a good account of ourselves against the top team in the division!” 

“Most of the goals that we have conceded are from earlier in the season (three at Lewes, Hendon and Bognor and four against Chatham)) and if you look at that we have conceded just ten in the other fifteen games!

“We were still trying to find our feet in most of those games, we had new players; tried different formations. We didn’t think it was working and were trying to be a bit more expansive and sometimes that doesn’t work, so the boys have had to get together and find a way!

“The last few weeks have been tight and if we have lost it’s been by an odd goal where we thought we may get something out of it. You need foundations and sometimes you build from the back forward.” 

Smith referred to playing in front of a big crowd on Saturday and it will be boosted by the generosity of Cray Chairman Gary Hillman as his manager explained.

“The Chairman, as a gift for the support that we’ve had this season and before, is laying on a free coach for the supporters to help them get to Dover and with the cost of living and the time of year, I really think that it is a fantastic gesture.” 

Image courtesy of Dave Budden