Cray Wanderers are in midweek action at Hayes Lane on Wednesday for the final time this season as they face Herne Bay in a Kent Derby.  Kick off is 7.45pm.  The game takes place at the third time of asking after earlier postponements back at the end of January and also earlier this month.

The Wands would have been delighted to get back to winning ways away from home on Saturday after a solid and professional display saw Tony Russell’s side beat Whyteleafe 1-0.  This was by no means a classic game but the result and performance was just what the doctor ordered after eight games without a win.

There were some fine performances on the 3G pitch at Whyteleafe particularly from the defence which included three young players, Ben Mundele, Timi Osidobu and Jai McKinlay who teamed with the impressive Paul Lorraine kept Nick Blue’s goal well protected all afternoon.  The midfield too gave industrious displays and covered every blade of synthetic turf.  The welcome return of Lea Dawson after suspension was noticeable from the opening minutes whilst Sean Roberts was a rock winning tackles and helped break up play.  Lee Prescott out of nothing scored a cracking goal for his ninth of the season whilst Karl Dent looked back to his best with his runs into the box.  Luke Medley had to plough a lonely furrow at times upfront but held the ball up well with Brandon Scott looking to provide the width. 

With a win attained the Wands can look to ending their season with more momentum with two home games in the next three days.  Home form has been a problem for Cray in 2017 with just one win against Chatham Town back on 2nd January so will be looking to end a five game losing run at Hayes Lane. 

Herne Bay were on a decent nine game unbeaten run up to Saturday when they were beaten 1-4 at playoff contenders Carshalton Athletic.   Sam Denly’s team are 17th in the league table with 49 points from 40 games and are a very clear twenty three points off the relegation places.  Mark Lovell has been in a rich vein of form and is their leading scorer with nineteen league goals.  Away from home, Herne Bay have won five games, most notable a 4-3 win at Dorking on 7th January and have also picked up wins at East Grinstead, Ramsgate, Three Bridges and Horsham.

The two teams met at Winch’s Field on 1st February and Cray came away with a 1-0 win through Luke Medley’s first goal for the Wands early in the second half.  

With not much else going on football wise that night and with the evenings getting lighter up to kick up time why not come and watch a cracking Kent derby with the pressures off in terms of league position.  Admission costs are £10.00 adults, £4.00 U16s, concessions.