Cray Wanderers 1-2 Burgess Hill Town - Francis: Improve or face eviction!

Sunday 18th October 2009

CRAY WANDERERS 1-2 BURGESS HILL TOWN
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round
Sunday 18th October 2009
Stephen McCartney reports from Hayes Lane

JOE FRANCIS has warned his players of eviction - following his side’s humiliating FA Carlsberg Trophy exit at the hands of lower-league Burgess Hill Town - as the struggling Wands stretch their winless home run to seven games.

The assistant manager saw his side put in a display that was low in confidence against a Burgess Hill Town side that played like a side that are now seven games unbeaten, as it’s the Hillians that go into tomorrow’s draw for the second qualifying round draw.

Left-back, Colin Luckett, was the only change as he came in for Tyrone Sterling, who later came on and scored a last-gasp consolation goal as Cray Wanderers have the embarrassing record of going out of both FA competitions at the first hurdle.

Francis, walking down the players tunnel with a face like thunder, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards, was very disappointed by his side‘s passionless display.

“We seem to be lacking confidence and faith in each other,” he admitted.

“We played really well on Tuesday. We said to them to continue what we did on Tuesday against Boreham Wood, who are a very good side, and all credit to Burgess Hill, they deserved to win.”

Last week’s 1-1 draw against Boreham Wood was the only time that Cray Wanderers have avoided defeat at home so far this season, which leaves them in the bottom five in their first ever campaign in the Ryman Premier League.

Francis is left bewildered as to why his side’s home form is so poor - and so were the 149 supporters who watched the Ryman League Division One South visitors run the show.

“We’re used to playing here and playing well out here,” said Francis, looking at the lush playing surface at their shared ground.

“I think if you ask any manager when they go through these spells, it’s very difficult to put your finger on it.”

When asked why, Francis replied, “I don’t know why! We always say the same things to the players, work hard, pass the ball, pass and move, good movement. Nothing’s changed in that respect but coaches don’t win matches do they? Players do and players lose - and win - matches.

“I’ve just said to the players in there, they’ve got to improve! Simple as that!”

However, had Cray Wanderers taken their 13th minute chance, then confidence may have restored.

Midfielder Rob Quinn started the move by releasing Jamie Wood down the left and he cut open a solid Burgess Hill defence by playing in his brother Lewis, but his low shot was blocked by the advancing keeper Joe Adams.

The Hillians must have done their homework as they exploited Tommy Osborne’s lack of pace, as they played good balls down the inside left channel.

Striker Lloyd Skinner was released down this area of the field in the 19th minute and his right-footed curling effort sailed past Jack Smelt’s outstretched left arm and past the far post.

The visitors were now on the front-foot and Skinner missed his second good chance of the game in the 32nd minute, when he was played in behind the Cray defence but his low left-footed drive flashed across the keeper and past the far post.

But the former Merstham keeper was forced into his first save of a dull first half with five minutes before the break.

Midfielder general, Scott Kinch gave away a free-kick, and this was met by a right-footed curling free-kick from Jon Lansdale, which went over the four-man wall, and was fumbled by Smelt beside the right-hand post, but he prevented the ball bouncing over the line by flicking the ball behind for a corner.

Burgess Hill deserved their slice of luck as they broke the stalemate four minutes into the second half.

Lloyd Cotton, on the angle of the penalty box, cracked a snap shot from 20-yards, which took a wicked deflection off Luckett and the ball looped high over Smelt and dropped into the bottom far corner.

Cray midfielder, Jamie Wood tried his luck with a swept left-footed shot from 25-yards, which flashed past the right upright just before the hour.

Burgess Hill squandered an excellent chance to double their lead in the 64th minute.

Left-back Will Berry showed some good trickery to cut inside two players before delivering an excellent cross to the unmarked Skinner at the far post, but his powerful header brought a smart low save from Smelt at his near post.

Comical defending from the home side (following a long kick up field from Joe Adams) saw goalkeeper Smelt try to flick the ball away from Steve Aris, who was protecting the ball in front of him, and Skinner capitalised on poor play by rounding Smelt but he was denied by a goal-line clearance from Cray skipper, Mark Willy.
Adams made his second save of an easy afternoon in the 72nd minute when he saved Lewis Wood’s swept shot following a cross from the right, before Burgess Hill booked their place in the next round with their second goal after 82 minutes.

Striker Danny Curd was released down the inside left channel and keeper Smelt came off his line before his feet froze and his hesitation proved costly as Curd picked his spot, firing across the keeper to find the bottom far corner.

At last, passionless Cray Wanderers started to show the small crowd that they wanted it - and Sterling grabbed a flattering consolation inside the second minute of five and a half minutes of time added on.

The substitute smashed a left-footed hooked half-volley through a crowd of players inside the Hillians’ penalty area and past the rooted Adams - but by then it was too little too late.

“Rubbish!” added Francis, as the post-match inquest as to the Kent side played so poorly began.

“A real disappointment for the club. We want the lift that the FA Cup and FA Trophy can give you! I’ve been in the semi-finals twice, Colin’s (Luckett) won it twice.”

Manager Ian Jenkins and Francis hope that new signing Rob Hughes (whose signing from landlords Bromley came too late to feature today) spark the beleaguered team into life.

And there was talk around Hayes Lane today that forward Shawn Beveney is destined to return to the club, following his release from Dulwich Hamlet.

“We’re always looking for players,” said Francis. “We’re trying to get some new blood in, but we want the right sort of player.

“Rob Hughes (a midfielder) has just signed for us, hopefully we’ll see Robbie play next week (when Carshalton Athletic visit Hayes Lane next Sunday).”

With new players coming in, players being sent packing is inevitable.

“Big brother - everyone’s up for eviction!” added Francis. “Everybody’s got to prove their place!

“It’s part of management - this is the first time in eight years where we’ve been put into a position where we’ve got to show the qualities to win a game again.”

Defender Steve Aris, also speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards, admitted his team-mates got exactly what they deserved.

“It’s just the way it is at the moment, we have one good game, one bad game,” said the former Tonbridge Angels defender.

“We didn’t play well at all today. We started off bright for the first fifteen minutes but after that we weren’t quite at the races.

“I think we got what we deserved and that was nothing!”

Cray Wanderers: Jack Smelt, Tommy Osborne, Colin Luckett (Tyrone Sterling 76), Rob Quinn (Stanley Muguo 78), Mark Willy, Steve Aris, Ross Lover, Scott Kinch (George Porter 57), Lewis Wood, Leigh Bremner, Jamie Wood.
Subs: Aaron Day, Ian Jenkins.

Goals: Tyrone Sterling 90

Booked: Lewis Wood 43

Burgess Hill Town: Joe Adams, Matt Piper, Will Berry, Tom Edmonds, Danny Gainsford, Matt Hurley, Jon Lansdale, Lloyd Cotton, Danny Curd, Lloyd Skinner (Peter Martin 89) Max Barnard (Jason Hollick 72).
Subs: Steve Harper, Ashley Carr, Pat Gannon.

Goals: Lloyd Cotton 49, Danny Curd 82

Booked: Will Berry 44

Attendance: 149
Referee: Mr Rob Smith (New Addington, Surrey)
Assistants: Mr John Ryan (Worcester Park) & Mr Stefan Malczewski (Ashtead, Surrey)