Cray Wanderers take a break from league action on Saturday as the Step 3 clubs enter the FA Trophy for the 3rd Qualifying Round as the Wands head to Southern Premier Central Needham Market.  Kick off at Bloomfields, 3 pm.

Cray Wanderers go into this game with a bit more bounce after a 3-0 win at Concord Rangers on Tuesday night moved Neil Smith’s side up to 16th in the table.  The win was Cray’s third in four league games and was the perfect response to the defeat at Kingstonian last Saturday.  First half goals from George Porter and Cameron Black and a second half penalty from Anthony Cook claimed the three points and overall was a very solid performance.

The Wands will be looking to add some cup excitement with the FA Trophy, where Cray reached the 3rd Round in 2021-22 but will have their work cut out against a buoyant Needham Market side unbeaten in their last 13 league and cup games.

Kevin Horlock’s side sit 2nd in the Southern League Premier Central on 13 points and on Tuesday night reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after a 3-0 replay win at home to Peterborough Sports. 

Needham Market finished 17th last season but after losing their season opener at Stratford Town have been very solid since then in the league. At home Needham Market have beaten Hitchin Town (2-0), Alvechurch (2-0), Stourbridge (1-0) and St. Ives Town (6-1) and drew with Halesowen (0-0).

Away from home Needham Market won at Coalville Town (6-1) and AFC Telford (2-0), drew with Leiston and Kettering Town losing at Stratford Town.  In the FA Cup, Needham Market began with a 3-0 win at FC Romania in the 1st Qualifying Round which was followed by a 1-0 win at Isthmian Premier Hashtag United. 

Then after a goalless draw at Peterborough Sports, Needham Market won the replay 3-0 to earn a trip to National League York City in the 4th Qualifying Round.  Last season Needham Market reached the 1st Round for the first time in the club’s history going out to League One Burton Albion.

The clubs have only met in league competition for one season in 2014-15 in the Isthmian North, a season where Needham Market won the league and beat Cray 3-0 at Bloomfields on 27th September 2014 with a Sam Newson hat-trick and a game which was the first in charge for Michael Paye and Gary Abbott. 

Needham Market won 3-1 at Hayes Lane on 13th March, 2015 which was the last defeat for the Wands before the dramatic ten game winning run at the end of the season.

This promises to be a very good test for the Wands against a side in very good form but it should be a great day out sampling some fine Suffolk hospitality.

Admission £12 adults, £9 concessions, £ 3 12-16 yo’s, U12s free of charge

Images courtesy of Ben Keayes & Ozay Booth