The FA Trophy has reached the 1^st Round stage with Cray Wanderers at this stage for the first time and make the trip to Uxbridge for their first competitive game since 31^st October.

The tie is played on Tuesday 8^th December, 7.45 ko.  Official permitted capacity for the game is 400. Please note if the game is tied after 90 minutes the match will be decided on a penalty shoot-out.  

 In uncertain and unusual times for football from Step 3 downwards, the non-league game at this level was on hold throughout lockdown 2 from 5^th November – 2^nd December and now with the tier system imposed since, the Isthmian League along with sister leagues, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues continues a fixture pause possibly until the new year. So this looks likely to be the last game for a few weeks for the losers of the tie on Tuesday.  The 2^nd Round of the competition takes place the following midweek and then the 3^rd Round proper where the National League clubs enter will be played on the weekend of 19/20^th December.

Cray warmed up for the game with a friendly game at Flamingo Park on Saturday in a 3-2 defeat to Basildon United with Rhys Murrell-Williamson and Freddie Parker scoring.  This gave a chance for many of the team to get some minutes under their belts and also Karl Dent played the last half hour for his first taste of football this season.

The Wands before the November lockdown were just starting to put together a good run following the Canvey Island FA Cup defeat and beat Merstham 6-0 at Hayes Lane on 28^th October and three days later started their FA Trophy campaign with a professional performance with a 3-0 win at Whitehawk on 31^st October.  In what could have been a tricky tie first half goals from Murrell-Williamson and Charlie Allen put Cray in command before the break and a terrific finish from Freddie Parker, his eighth goal of the season.  

Joe Taylor didn’t score at Whitehawk but was involved in all three goals and scored twice in the Merstham victory to take his tally to 11 and also back to back clean sheets was another positive leading up to the lockdown.

Uxbridge will be tough opponents and the Isthmian South-Central side have already played two matches in the FA Trophy to make this round.  In the 2^nd Qualifying Round, Uxbridge came from behind to beat Waltham Abbey 2-1 at home and in the 3^rd Qualifying Round had an impressive 2-1 home win against Hayes & Yeading United on 3^rd November. Goals from Lonit Talla and an 88th minute winner from Callum Bunting helped set up a first ever trip to Uxbridge for Cray.  They warmed up for the game with a 2-2 draw in a home friendly with Harrow Borough on Saturday.

Danny Edwards side like so many have only played a handful of league games to date and currently sit 17^th in the league table with 5 points after 6 matches.  Uxbridge have won 2-1 at Ware and drawn at home to Bracknell 2-2 and Ashford Town Middx 0-0. Their other games ended in defeat, 0-1 at Chertsey, 1-3 at home to Chipstead and 0-4 at Marlow on 27^th October. Their FA Cup interest ended at Sheppey United 1-4 back in August. 

Uxbridge much like Cray last season were perhaps unfortunate that the season ended prematurely as they stood third in the Isthmian South-Central table and very much in contention for a playoff place.  The sides have only ever met once competitively in the London Senior Cup at Hayes Lane on 11^th December 2002 which Uxbridge won 2-1.

There have been a number of dramatic cup ties this season for Cray Wanderers and this promises to be no different and should be a cracking, competitive tie to help beat those post lockdown blues.

Admission prices:  £10.00 adults, £5.00 concessions and U16s free. Capacity 400.

Pictures supplied by Jon Pilliger.