The Easter Holiday football fayre continues on Easter Monday as Cray make the relatively short trip to Thurrock as the teams in 2nd and 3rd places meet for the second time in just less than two weeks.

The previous encounter saw Thurrock win 2-1 but was a tremendous battle that could have gone either way although it remains to be seen whether the potential Storm Katie overnight might have a detrimental effect on the game.

Cray come into the game with one defeat in the last seven games and after a deserved victory against Witham Town on Saturday.

Despite the close look of the scoreline Cray gave one of their most complete performances in recent weeks as a lively performance in attack was set aside against a resolute defensive performance which enabled Nick Blue to have little to do in goal. Special mention needs to be made to Aryan Tajbakhsh who had to fill in at right back following Ade Osifuwa’s departure and didn’t look out of place with a calm and mature display.

There were industrious performances from Karl Dent, Sean Roberts, Leigh Bremner, Michael Frieter and James Duckworth throughout the game and were all unlucky not to add to the goal notched in opportunistic fashion by Freiter. Certainly in a game where the conditions were difficult the Wands did well to play as composed as they did.

Thurrock will be tough opposition for Cray there is no doubt about that. Mark Stimson’s side at times between the first and second goal on the 15th March looked very good indeed and have players of real quality like midfielder, Harry Agumbar, prolific marksman, Ross Wall who has 16 goals to his credit. Charlie Cole also played well on that evening and will be one to watch. Defensively they are strong too with ex Wand, Junior Baker excelling.

On Saturday they held out for a 0-0 draw at 5th placed AFC Hornchurch which shows they can be hard to break down. Cray though can take heart from that first encounter as a late flurry almost snatched a draw and shows how close the game will be.

Thurrock have probably left the Championship itself a little late as they are 11 points behind AFC Sudbury but seem set to be at least in the top two playoff places. Cray trail Thurrock by four points but the Wands are level on points with 4th placed Harlow Town who have one game in hand.

Cray’s overall record against Thurrock is not that good having lost the previous five encounters but these things change eventually and tomorrow promises to be a great occasion in front of a good holiday crowd.