Cray Wanderers play their second midweek league game of the season against Hertfordshire opponents on Tuesday as St Albans City are the visitors as part of a full Isthmian Premier fixture list for match eight of the season.
Kick off at Flamingo Park, 7.45 pm.
The Wands will come into the game in 15th place and just looking to maintain an unbeaten home record in league and FA Cup so far this season but will be tough against a St Albans side who are unbeaten in five league and cup games and the only side so far to defeat Enfield Town.
Cray on Saturday headed to league leaders Enfield Town and was definitely felt by the Enfield management to have been their toughest test so far and Cray after levelling through Ade Yusuff’s penalty did take the lead for fifteen minutes early in the second half.
Soul Kader’s expertly placed goal was his second since his latest loan stint began at the start of the season. Enfield fought back to win the game 3-2 but Cray at least gave a good account of themselves and can go into Tuesday night’s game with confidence they can bounce back.
All thoughts of Maidstone United in the FA Cup must be put firmly in the back of the mind as this will be another test for Tim O’Shea’s side who still have a game In hand against many of the clubs with the exception of Brentwood Town and two in hand for Maldon & Tiptree. Cray now know the Maldon & Tiptree game with be rescheduled of Tuesday 29th September, 7.45 p.m.
Before that and after the Maidstone game the Wands will be away to Cheshunt in the FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round on 26th September.
St Albans City come into the game in 6th place and Gary McCann’s side look certainly like having a better season than last where they finished 11th. On Saturday City were comfortable 4-0 winners against Three Bridges at Clarence Park with goals from Alex Dyer, Inih Effiong (2) taking his total to the season to five and a Kai Brown strike.
St Albans have 13 points and at the moment five off the leaders Enfield. City began the season with an excellent 3-1 win at home to Chatham Town. They then won 2-1 at Enfield with an injury time goal from Effiong.
They then had a mini blip losing back to back games at home to Lewes (0-2) and at Ramsgate (0-4) before a 4-1 win vs Stanway Rovers on 29th August with ex-Wand Remi Sutton amongst the scorers followed by a 1-1 draw at Cheshunt on Bank Holiday Monday.
In the FA Cup St Albans have advanced much like Cray after a replay when after a goalless draw at home to Hashtag United, St Albans won 2-0 with goals from Effiong and Michael Faulkner. City will travel to Isthmian North Witham Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round on Saturday. In the FA Trophy St Albans City host Bury Town on 26th September.
The teams have only met in league competition for the 2025-26 season with Cray prising four points out of those games. Cray were unfortunate to only draw 1-1 with City at Flamingo Park on 21st October with Kareem Isiaka scoring for Cray and City levelling with a stoppage time goal from George Sippetts.
It was a real thriller when the teams met at Clarence Park on 31st January with Cray going 3-0 up at half time with goals from Max Fiddes and Alex Hernandez (2). St Albans threatened a fight back with goals from Jack James and Michael Bostwick but Cray held out for a fine 3-2 win. The only other meetings came in the London Senior Cup and FA Trophy.
This should be a cracking game under the lights once again for a second successive Tuesday and another example in recent weeks of the Wands playing recent National South opposition in Cheshunt, Eastbourne Borough, Welling United, Enfield Town and now St Albans City.
Admission: £ 15 adults on the gate or online, £10 concessions, £5 U18s/17s, U16s free with accompanying adult – Family Pack ticket £20 (2 adults, 3 children) – www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets/
Printed Match Programme: £3, Golden Goal Tickets £1 – Merchandise, hot and cold food and drinks, bars – Large TV Screen.
Pictures supplied by Natalie Stribbling.