Isthmian League South football returns to Hayes Lane on Saturday for the first time since January 2nd as Cray Wanderers take on Lewes in a clash of two in form playoff chasing teams.

The Wands, in eighth place on 56 points have won 3 away games in a row, are unbeaten in four and have lost once in eight.  Wins at Herne Bay, Sittingbourne and South Park have brought Cray within 4 points of the playoff places.  These games yielded nine goals and conceded just one as Cray added some steel to go with the skill and there is a re-energised look to the team since the recent mini break for postponed games.

The win at South Park was particularly eye-catching against whom, Tony Russell feels are the best side we’ve played and after soaking up at times some concerted pressure from the home team broke out well with Luke Medley scoring a superb hat-trick.  Sol Taiwo’s penalty also came at a vital time after South Park pulled a goal back and was the lift they needed to control the last twenty minutes.  The partnership of Medley and Leigh Bremner has already bore fruit after just three games with Medley scoring six, Bremner scoring at Sittingbourne and producing four assists.  Medley’s six goals has taken his tally for the season to 21 (15 at Chatham Town) putting him in the frame for leading scorer.  This augurs well with Danny Haynes on 20 goals when he returns from suspension for the club to have two of the top scorers in the division.

Defensively, Cray have been immense with Jay Leader and Jai McKinlay in the last two matches reading the games so well, and heading, tackling and blocking and not giving much away.  Nick Blue has also been playing well and his handling from crosses has been immaculate and when called upon has made good saves at vital times.  Grant Basey is working his way back into the side following his injury in September and his presence in the team gives the Cray players and fans reassurance.  In midfield, Sean Roberts has been in great form, breaking up the play and helping set up attacks alongside the leadership qualities of Lea Dawson.  Karl Dent who went off at half time on Wednesday night, has been playing well since the turn of the year whilst Ben Mundele and Jey Siva who had their hands full on Wednesday with the South Park full backs stuck to their task brilliantly and in the end saw off the challenge well.         

Our opponents on Saturday, Lewes make the trip up from Sussex in seventh place, on 58 points, two ahead of Cray and are definitely a live playoff contender.

Since they beat Cray at the Dripping Pan in October, Darren Freeman’s side have put together some good results after a poor start to the season and in the 18 league games since have won 11 and lost 4 and have been knocking on the top 5 ever since.

They were beaten in a close game at Dorking Wanderers on 28th January, but last time out won 2-1 at home to Chipstead.  Their leading scorer is Chuk Okoh who has scored 12.  They also have in their side, Jonte Smith who was on loan at Cray at the beginning of the season from Welling United and returned to one of his former clubs, Lewes in September and has scored 7 goals for the Rooks.

That last meeting took place on 22nd October and was definitely a game of two halves.  Cray who had won five in a row were in the playoff places at the time and led 2-1 at half time through goals from Haynes and Dawson with a Lloyd Harrington goal in between.  Unfortunately, the Rooks turned the game round completely after half time and a Jamie Brotherton hat-trick and a Duncan Culley goal gave Lewes a 5-2 win against in the end a nine man Cray side.  The Wands have yet to beat Lewes in league football after seven attempts drawing 2 and losing 5. 

Let's hope the weather holds up fine as the Wands are playing well right now and would be great for the home fans who weren’t able to travel to Kent and Surrey to catch Cray in action.  It should also be a cracking game between two good sides, a bit of a clash of styles and well worth a visit to the Lane perhaps for some neutrals.

Admission prices are:  £10.00 adults, £4.00 concessions/u16s/students on presentation of card.