Cray Wanderers bring February’s fixtures to an end on Saturday as the Wands host Cheshunt in a clash with an Amber hue and between two sides in good form. Kick off at Flamingo Park, 3 pm.

The Wands will come into the game on the back of a run of six games unbeaten which has included five draws with three of those against playoff contenders.  Cray are sixth in the Isthmian Premier table with forty nine points from thirty two games played, two behind fifth placed Billericay Town who have played one game less. The Wands are a point clear of Dartford in seventh who have two games in hand, two of Ramsgate in eighth and three clear of Burgess Hill Town who both have one game in hand.

Last Saturday Cray were unfortunate to only pick up a point from a 1-1 draw at Dartford. In a match which saw a two hundredth game in the dugout for Tim O’Shea and goalkeeping coach Alfie George, after a tight first half the game opened up after the break and the Wands shortly after coming close with Jordy Mongoy heading against the crossbar took the lead when Max Fiddes after a great run from Alex Hernandez’ pass set up Mongoy to score from close range.  After Hernandez saw a penalty saved both Fiddes and Mongoy came close in between a Dartford equaliser in the 85^th minute but did maintain an away record of just one defeat in sixteen on the road. 

Since the game, Max Fiddes loan spell from Dover Athletic has been extended by another month taking him to the end of March. Meanwhile, Harry Bridle who joined the Wands on loan in January has been recalled by Gillingham and has returned to the Priestfield Stadium.  Ahead of the match the Wands added right back/defender Crossley Lema to the squad with another recent signing Ola Ogunwamide signed before the Chatham Town game making an impression down the right.

The point at Princes Park was the Wands sixteenth draw of the season after thirty two games with eight of those picked up from losing positions against seven from winning positions with one goalless draw. 

One of those points came from a 1-1 draw at Cheshunt on 1^st November with Alex Gibson-Hammond giving Cheshunt the lead with eight minutes left but Cray deserved a point for their performance and levelled two minutes into added time through a Josh Williams free kick. Cray though will be looking for more home points with the last three drawn with the last win on 27^th December.

Cheshunt lie fourteenth in the table on forty points but will arrive at Flamingo Park in good form unbeaten in eight in 2026 and on Tuesday night picked up three points from an excellent 2-0 home win vs Aveley who have been one of the form teams after the last few months. Both goals came in the second half through Tommy Wood and Jesse Effa and leaves Cheshunt twelve points clear of the relegation places and nine behind Cray with a couple of games in hand.

Away from home Mel Gwinnett’s side have won at Canvey Island (4-1), St Albans City (2-1), Dulwich Hamlet (1-0) and Wingate & Finchley (3-2). The Ambers picked up a point at Billericay Town (1-1), Ramsgate (1-1), Brentwood Town (2-2), Chichester City (2-2), Carshalton Athletic (3-3) and Cray Valley PM (3-3) going down to defeat at Chatham Town (0-1), Dartford (0-2), Lewes (1-2), Welling United (1-3) and Potter Bar Town (1-3). Cheshunt had a decent run in the FA Trophy reaching the 3^rd Round after beating Carshalton Athletic, Wingate & Finchley and Bishop’s Stortford before losing at National League Wealdstone. Cheshunt are through to the Quarter Finals of the London Senior Cup where they visit Tooting & Mitcham United on Tuesday 3^rd March.  Leading scorer is Sam Granville with eight goals.

The last time the two teams met at Flamingo Park came on 15^th February, 2025 with Cray winning 2-1 coming from a goal down with goals from Nyren Clunis and Soul Kader after ex-Wand Kenny Coker gave Cheshunt the lead.

This will like all games in this very competitive league be a tough one and should be a great match to take us in to the final two months of the season with very much all still to play for.

Admission £15 adults, £10 concessions, £5 u18s on the gate or online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets/ with free entry for all Blue Light card holders on presentation of card. Printed Match Programme: £3 available on the gate.

Photos supplied by Natalie Stribbling and Steve Cullum.