Saturday sees another top of the table clash as Cray Wanderers look to maintain their unbeaten start to 2020 with a trip to league leaders Worthing.
Cray will be looking to build on their seven game unbeaten run and have given Worthing two good games already this season but the Mackerelmen are currently 18 games without defeat and have a five point lead at the top following their 1-0 win at Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday night.
That put them on 63 points, five ahead of Folkestone Invicta who they meet at home next Saturday. Cray moved down one place to 4th with Hornchurch’s win on Tuesday and have 51 points from 28 games played.
Cray meanwhile can go into the game with confidence on the back of three straight wins including two against playoff contenders Enfield Town in their last away game and at home to Horsham last Saturday.
The Horsham win was a gritty, determined and resolute display earned with ten men for 80 minutes after the dismissal of Ben Mundele. Also knocks for Tom Phipp and Jerome Federico during the first half meant a bit of a rearguard action in the second half after Joe Taylor’s penalty and a superb strike from Rhys Murrell-Williamson put Cray two nil up.
Defensively, Jay Leader, Mitchell Nelson, Geofrey Okonkwo and Barney Williams were outstanding while Charlie Allen, Bradley Pritchard and Karl Dent deserve credit for their solid work in midfield. Taylor and Murrell-Williamson never stopped working and in the end despite, some Horsham pressure Lewis Carey, not for the first time stepped up to produce a terrific performance in goal. Not just for his penalty save nine minutes from end but his handling and composure were key in repelling the Horsham drive late in the game.
The Wands will be without Mundele through suspension and the team played a training friendly at Punjab United on Monday night in order to give players looking for a game a chance for fitness. Joe Taylor’s goal gives him 28 for the season with 22 in the league to continue to lead the Golden Boot standings.
Worthing have put together a great run and their last league defeat came in October at home to East Thurrock United and so far in 2020 they have won six out of their seven league games played which won manager Adam Hinshelwood the January Manager of the Month.
The two sides have already met twice this season with a tremendous tussle at Hayes Lane ending 2-2 with Joe Taylor putting Cray ahead at half time before Ricky Aguiar levelled on the hour. The game burst back into late life when Worthing went ahead four minutes into stoppage time when Shola Ayool’s ball across was turned into the net by Leader but there was still time two minutes later for Aguiar to nod into his own net to earn Cray a draw which on reflection was definitely a fair result.
Cray also travelled to Worthing on December 21st in the Isthmian League Cup where Worthing went two up through goals from Dylan Jelley and a Mundele own goal. Cray pulled a goal back after half time through Bradley Pritchard but a Tom Chalaye strike made it 3-1 before Karl Dent grabbed a late consolation.
Worthing’s home form has been very good with wins against Lewes (3-1), Bognor Regis Town (3-0), Kingstonian (2-1), Brightlingsea Regent (3-0), Corinthian Casuals (2-0), Margate (2-1), Enfield Town (3-2), Horsham (3-0), Merstham (6-1) and Cheshunt (2-0). They drew with Leatherhead (5-5) and Carshalton Athletic (1-1) and their only home defeats came at the hands of Hornchurch (0-6) and East Thurrock United (2-3).
Worthing are also through to the Quarter Final of the Isthmian League Cup and Semi Final of the Sussex County Cup. Their top scorer in the league is Oliver Pearce with 15 goals.
This will be a great test of Cray Wanderers promotion credentials but the Wands can take heart from their previous two performances against Worthing and it should be a tremendous match to watch and one Tony Russell’s side will relish.
Admission prices are: Adults – £10.00, Concessions £8.00, 12-16 y/o’s £3.00, 6-12 y/o’s £1.00, Under 6’s – Free