Cray Wanderers start the always busy but exciting August Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday with a visit to newly promoted Maldon & Tiptree as both teams look to continue the momentum of fine wins last weekend. 

The Wands complete the double header at home to Welling United but first must look to overcome the hurdle set by last season’s Isthmian North Champions.

The Wands picked up their first win of the season last Saturday with a merited victory against promotion favourites Eastbourne Borough and was just rewards for the players as they certainly deserved more points than the two picked up in the previous three games.  Tim O’Shea’s side stand fifteenth in the table on five points in the very early league table which at this stage sees only Carshalton Athletic with a 100% record from the first four games.

Last Saturday’s game was a terrific advert for the Isthmian Premier and both sides had openings before Ade Yusuff showed awareness to capitalise on hesitation at the back to stroke home his second goal of the season. 

Cray had chances to add to their lead through Ola Ogunwamide, Yusuff, Soul Kader and Lateef Adaja but were also indebted to keeper Henry Molyneux who made four fine stops in the game against a potent Borough attack.

The Wands added a classic second goal in the 86^th minute with a trademark special free kick from Alex Hernandez to net also his second of the season. Borough pulled a consolation goal back deep into added time but was too late the change the outcome.

With both Holiday games right on top of one another, similar to Easter Cray will be looking to maintain that level of performance against tough opposition ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup break away to Lewes.

The Wands will head to Essex to face a Maldon & Tiptree side who clinched promotion to the Isthmian Premier for the first time winning the North Division title winning the title on 97 points, level with Felixstowe & Walton clinching promotion with a 4-1 win vs Gorleston on 18^th April.  The Jammers also reached the 1^st Round of the FA Cup last season for the third time losing at Port Vale. 

It has been a difficult summer off the pitch for the Jammers since promotion but the football side of things under Manager Mark Hawkes so far has been efficient since a rather rude awakening to the league in a 0-6 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet on the opening day. Since then a 1-0 win against a tough Aveley side was followed by a 1-2 defeat at home to Dartford on 15^th August. Last Saturday saw Maldon & Tiptree win a battle of promoted clubs with a 4-1 win at Leatherhead ending the Tanners unbeaten start to the season with goals from Ibbi Akanbi, TQ Addy, Chaynie Burgin and an own goal. Maldon & Tiptree with six points stand 12^th in the table. On Monday they visit Brentwood Town in an Essex derby and also visit Cambridge City in the FA Cup 1^st Qualifying Round next Saturday.

The sides in regards to Maldon & Tiptree have met on five occasions. For two seasons in the Isthmian North with Maldon & Tiptree winning twice, one draw and Cray’s only win came in the 2015-16 season on a very windy afternoon on 5^th December 2015 with goals from Nathan Fox and James Duckworth in a 2-1 victory.  The most recent meeting came in the FA Trophy 1^st Qualifying Round on 26^th October 2019 which Maldon & Tiptree won 3-0.

This promises to be a fascinating clash and a great away trip for the supporters even though the forecast may be rather wet it shouldn’t dampen a good day out and match.           

Adults = £12, Concessions = £7, U18s = £3, U16’s = Free (if accompanied by a paying adult)

Image courtesy of Natalie Stribbing