Cray Wanderers make history again tomorrow afternoon when they play in the first-round proper of the FA Cup for the first time and also make their live TV debut as they take on League One Stockport County at Flamingo Park.
Tim O’Shea’s side go into the game sitting in eighteenth place in the Isthmian League Premier Division with 15 points from 10 league matches. The Wands are also still in the FA Trophy and are three or four games behind most team in the division.
The Wands have already played seven games to reach this stage of the competition, winning replays over Lewes, Maidstone Utd and Bedford Town, while seeing off Chippenham Town at home 3-0 in the third qualifying round. Finally securing a place in the first round for the first time in their 166-year history with a penalty shootout win over Bedford Town.
Last weekend Cray won 4-1 away at Brentwood thanks to goals from Ola Ogunwamide, new signing John Ufuah and a double from Ade Yusuff. Yusuff has scored for The Wands in every round of the FA Cup so far.
In Thursday’s press conference Manager Tim O’Shea said “It’s every boy’s dream, whether you play, whether you’re lucky enough to play for a pro club, whether you’re playing non-League and playing in it, it’s a proud moment for me, and for the coaching staff as well. It’s three pronged. We’re the oldest club in London, it’s the oldest competition, although we were around before the competition started, it’s the first time in history that we’ve got to this round. That’s like pinning a medal on your chest. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”
Stockport County make the trip down from Greater Manchester sitting in second in League One, with 26 points from 14 games. Last weekend The Hatters won 2-1 at home to AFC Wimbledon with goals from Jack Diamond & Ethan Ellis.
Having made a great start to the league campaign Jimmy McNulty’s side play their first game in the FA Cup this season, having reached the second-round last season before losing on penalties to Cambridge Utd.
The game is a complete sell out with tickets all going in less than ten minutes and is also being shown on BBC 2 and TNT Sports. Kick-off is at 2.15pm.