The World Cup may have grabbed everyone’s attention these last four weeks but the domestic season is soon with us and Cray Wanderers pre-season schedule started this week.  On Saturday Cray took on landlords Bromley at Hayes Lane in a lunchtime kick off. Cray played well but National League Bromley won 2-0 with goals from Bobby-Joe Taylor a minute before half time and a header from Dan Johnson four minutes after the break. 

Cray got their pre-season campaign off to a flying start with an 8-1 win against Sporting Club Thamesmead at Coldharbour Leisure Centre on Monday evening and looked in fine fettle for an opening pre-season game.  The Wands boss Tony Russell has been busy adding to his squad with new signings midfielder Sean Roberts returning for his second spell from AFC Hornchurch,  left back Matthew George from Lewes, midfielder Tom Phipp from Crowborough Athletic and two players who were released last season returning to the fold, centre half Mitchell Nelson and winger Jerome Federico.  All five featured on Monday with Roberts and George both scoring. 

Key players to depart the club in the summer were skipper Lea Dawson who went to Ashford United, experienced striker Charlie MacDonald to VCD Athletic, Michael Freiter to Lordswood and striker Luke Medley who has taken over the managers role at Greenwich Borough.   

Cray will play in the restructured Isthmian League South-East division and the fixtures were announced this week and the Wands will start on August 11th with a local derby at Greenwich Borough which will be followed with the first home game on Sunday 19th August against Whitstable Town.   The FA Cup Preliminary Round draw sees Cray at home to the winners of the Rusthall/Wick Extra Preliminary Round tie.  In the FA Trophy Preliminary Round Cray will travel to Canvey Island on 13th October.

The rest of the pre-season campaign sees first time matches against Welling Town and Gravesend based Punjab United.

16/7/18 vs. Welling Town, A, 7.45pm

18/7/18 vs. Grays Athletic, A, 7.45pm

21/7/18 vs.  Cray Valley PM, A, 1.30pm

24/7/18 vs. Punjab United, A, 7.45pm

27/7/18 vs. Chatham Town, A, 7.45pm

31/7/18 vs. Canvey Island, A, 7.45pm

4/8/18  vs.  Chipstead, A, 3pm.