Cray Wanderers are in FA Trophy action this Saturday as they take on in form Bedfont Sports in the First Round proper at Hayes Lane. 

The Wands go into the game on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat in the league at Merstham on Tuesday night, which saw Danny Kedwell’s side slip to eighteenth in the Isthmian League Premier Division table with ten points from twelve league games played.

Cray reached the first round of the trophy courtesy of a 4-1 home win over Kings Langley at the end of October with goals from Anthony Cook, Dean Beckwith, Chris Dickson and Daniel Uchechi.

Cray’s season has been disrupted somewhat so far by breaks to the fixtures schedule as they look to build momentum and settle in the squad, which has seen a number of changes this campaign. Recent signings Jai Reason, Chris Dickson and Daniel Uchechi all featured in midweek.          

Bedfont Sports currently sit fourth in the Isthmian League Division One South Central, one level below Cray, with twenty points from only nine league games.

On Tuesday night Sports knocked Enfield Town out of the Middlesex Senior Cup 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

They progressed to this stage of the FA Trophy with wins over Sholing 2-1 in a replay, Romford 3-1 and Harlow Town 2-1. Sports also had an excellent run in the FA Cup reaching the fourth qualifying round before losing 1-0 to Kidderminster Harriers. In the league Gavin Bamford’s team have won six, drawn two and lost once.     

The teams met once before at Hayes Lane, that time in the FA Cup back in September 2019 when The Wands were victorious 2-1. With both sides looking to progress closer to the final at Wembley Stadium and pick up some valuable prize money on the way this looks set to be a great cup tie and as close fought as the previous encounter. 

Entrance is £10 for adults ad £5 for concessions with an excellent printed programme for £2. 

Picture supplied by Jon Hilliger.