It’s FA Cup action for Cray Wanderers once again after the high drama of Wednesday night’s win at Rusthall, Cray travel to Metropolitan Police on Saturday in a 1st Qualifying Round tie.
This will be the first ever FA Cup meeting between the sides.
Cray had to go through hell and high water to make it through two tough ties with Rusthall and despite twice taking the lead through Michael Power, firstly with a 13th minute header and then a penalty in the 103rd minute they were pegged back twice which led to a penalty competition.
Cray made it through after four very cool penalties from Power, Barney Williams, Bradley Pritchard and Mitchell Nelson and Nick Blue made the vital save from Callum Gallie’s kick to put Cray through 4-3 on spot kicks.
The league takes a break this weekend but Cray will resume league action next Saturday at Ashford in good heart, four wins out of four, four clean sheets and 2nd in the league table.
Tony Russell’s side though will face a tough game on Saturday against Metropolitan Police who this season began life in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division South after being part of the Isthmian League since 1977. Gavin McPherson’s side lie 12th in the table after six matches with two wins, two draws and two defeats.
They started with two straight wins at Dorchester Town (1-0) and Chesham at home (1-0). Since then they lost at home to Swindon Supermarine (0-2), drew 2-2 at Poole Town and at home to Walton Casuals on Bank Holiday Monday. Their last game saw a 3-6 defeat at Gosport Borough last Saturday. Leading scorer so far is Jack Mazzone with 3 goals.
Cray Wanderers and the Met Police have had some big matches together over the years most notably in the Isthmian South playoffs Semi-Final of 2007-08 which Cray won 2-0 and the final the following year where Simon Osborn’s 80th minute free kick decided a tense affair at Hayes Lane to earn Cray promotion to the Isthmian Premier.
Cray will be hoping for a much better showing than their last visit to Imber Court in March 2014 when the Wands were heavily beaten 1-7 with Moses Ashikodi’s goal the merest consolation.
This promises to be a cracking cup tie between two good sides and will be a stern test for the Wands but one I’m sure they will relish.