Cray Wanderers finish February’s fixtures this evening as the Wands, unbeaten in seven league games visit Whitehawk for only the second time in the Isthmian Premier. Kick off is at 7:45pm.
Cray moved onto 42 points after 31 games on Saturday after a 1-0 win at home to Kingstonian and stayed 13th in the Isthmian Premier league table, nineteen clear of 19th placed Cheshunt. After three straight wins the confidence with the Wands is high and the last five wins have all been by the odd goal which shows the team can battle and are unbeaten in the last fifteen home games.
Anthony Cook’s free kick strike on the hour on Saturday was his tenth goal of the season and made it three in the last five games. At the other end, Shaun Rowley kept his tenth clean sheet of the season and the return of Jack Holland at the back has been a boost and aside from the defeat at Billericay Town in mid January, Cray have been more resolute and gaining the happy knack of winning close games.
Whitehawk come into the game unbeaten in the last four league games and Shaun Saunders side are 15th in the table on 37 points and fourteen clear of the bottom four but have played three games less than Cray Wanderers.
On Saturday, Whitehawk came from behind to draw 1-1 at Hashtag United with Charlie Lambert’s thirteenth goal of the season in the 66th minute.
Shaun Saunders side were promoted to the Isthmian Premier last season and the teams played at Hayes Lane on 29th November and drew 2-2. Charlie Lambert put Whitehawk in front but Anthony Cook and Gary Lockyer put Cray ahead at the break. Whitehawk levelled through Ben Pope in injury time.
There have been just two previous trips to Whitehawk for the Wands. In the 2012-13 season in the Isthmian Premier. Whitehawk won 2-0 at home on 26/2/13 en route to winning the league that season.
The teams also met in the FA Trophy Preliminary Round on October 31st 2020 at Whitehawk with Cray winning 3-0 with goals from Rhys Murrell-Williamson, Charlie Allen and Freddie Parker.
At home, Whitehawk have beaten Horsham (3-1), Haringey Borough (2-1), Bognor Regis Town (3-2), Margate (3-2), Cheshunt (2-0) and Folkestone Invicta (3-2) and drawn with Hastings United (0-0), Wingate & Finchley (3-3), Hashtag United (1-1) and Dulwich Hamlet (1-1. They were beaten by Lewes (1-2), Billericay Town (0-1) and Chatham Town (1-2).
Away from home, Whitehawk have won at Billericay Town (3-1), Canvey Island (2-1) and Horsham (1-0). They drew at Folkestone Invicta, Enfield Town, Cray Wanderers, Hornchurch, Haringey Borough and Hashtag United and were beaten at Margate, Chatham Town. Potters Bar Town, Carshalton Athletic, Wingate & Finchley and Cheshunt.
Whitehawk did advance to the Quarter Finals of the Isthmian League Cup after wins against Margate and Kingstonian but were beaten at home by Haringey Borough last Tuesday. .Charlie Walker is the leading scorer with 18 goals in league and cups.
With both teams having plenty of wriggle room from the relegation places this should be an entertaining evening down on the South coast albeit being a touch chilly one.
Admission: £13, £8, £5 – Match Programme £2.50.
Pictures supplied by Ozay Booth.