Cray Wanderers head to Maidstone United for the first time since the 2014-15 season on Tuesday after Saturday’s fine performance earned an FA Cup 2QR replay at the National South League leaders. Kick off 7.4pm with the match decided on the night.
The winners of the tie will be at home to the winners of the West Country derby between Yate Town or Chippenham Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round.on 3rd October.
Saturday’s game saw Cray bridge the gap between the Isthmian Premier and National South and was an excellent cup tie keeping with tradition in this unique cup competition.
Cray had the better of the opening half against a Maidstone side who showed the Wands respect by naming a full strength team. The second half was more even and Maidstone took the lead in the 71st minute through Tom Leahy’s strike.
Cray though kept going and seven minutes from time Rob Strachan headed in from a corner for his second of the season to set up a trip to the Gallagher Stadium. There were some fine Wands performances on the day especially loanee keeper JJ Briggs and Ola Ogunwamide was a real handful especially in the first half with Alex Hernandez pulling the strings in the second half. Rob Strachan at the back has been leading with authority all season and his goal was just reward for a determined display.
No trip to Maidstone is ever easy and this will be the third time the Wands have faced United at the Gallagher Stadium with Maidstone winning both matches, 3-0 in the Isthmian Premier on 11th February 2014 and 4-2 in the Isthmian League Cup on 7th October 2014 where ex-United forward Shaun Welford scored twice for the Wands.
So far at home in the league Craig Fagan’s side were beaten on the opening day by Farnborough (1-2), and beat Salisbury (2-1) and Weston-super-Mare (1-0) and drew with Folkestone Invicta (1-1). They meet Truro City in the league at home on Saturday.
This will be a very tough match for the Wands but will go and give it a great go against a side with aspirations to be in the National League next season and there will a typical four figure crowd at the game under the lights by the Medway and should be a great occasion.
Adults £15, Concessions £10, U18s £5.
Pictures supplied by Natalie Stribbling.