Cray Wanderers begin 2022 on New Year’s Day with a trip to East Thurrock United in a match with importance in the lower reaches of the table.
Kick off at the Rookery is 3pm. We have been informed by East Thurrock United that as of New Year’s Eve the pitch is playable but should there been excessive rain overnight then a pitch inspection will be in order.
It has been something of a difficult post-Christmas for Cray Wanderers with the defeat to Margate on Bank Holiday Monday and the following day the departure of Danny Kedwell from the club. Since then, Grant Basey has been appointed interim First Team Manager while a full time incumbent of the role is appointed.
Although, Andy Drury, Dean Beckwith and Fjord Rogers have departed the club many of the players have remained to this point and looking forward to working with Grant and Assistant Manager Gary Alexander in the short-term.
Monday’s defeat to Margate was the Wands sixth home league defeat and left Cray 21st in the table with 15 points after 18 games. Despite taking the lead through Kyel Reid and Chris Dickson making it 2-2 this couldn’t prevent the sea-siders from winning the game.
East Thurrock United have had their own managerial changes during the early weeks of the season with Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace, previously of Tilbury taking over from Paul Martin in November. The Rocks currently have 17 points in 20th place having played two games more. On Saturday they were beaten 2-1 at Brightlingsea Regent after Jake Gordon gave them a first half lead.
Home form has seen wins against Hornchurch (4-3) and Lewes (2-0) and draws against Bognor Regis Town (2-2), Folkestone Invicta (1-1), Brightlingsea Regent (1-1) and Corinthian Casuals (1-1). East Thurrock were beaten by Bishop’s Stortford (1-2), Enfield Town (0-8), Leatherhead (0-2) and Bowers & Pitsea (0-2). Away from home they picked up wins at Bowers & Pitsea (2-1) and Kingstonian (1-0) and drew at Merstham. They lost Cheshunt, Worthing, Haringey Borough, Potters Bar Town, Carshalton Athletic, Margate, Horsham and Brightlingsea Regent. Alex Hernandez is the leading scorer with 11 goals. In the FA Cup East Thurrock had a decent run winning away at Cambridge City and Needham Market following a replay before losing at Boston United in the 3QR. They were beaten at home by Kingstonian in the FA Trophy but have advanced in the Essex Senior Cup past Brightlingsea Regent.
The last trip to East Thurrock was on 26th September, 2020 during the shortened 2020-21 season with Cray winning 3-1 with Joe Taylor (2) and Freddie Parker the scorers. East Thurrock were 21st when the season came to an end.
It seems a long time since Cray last played an away game after four successive home matches but it and this occasion has taken on extra importance with both sides in the bottom three. Admission prices £12 adults, £8 OAPs/Concessions, £3 U16s, U12s free. All payments by cash and no online sales.
Pics: Jon Hilliger – www.hilligerpix.com