Canvey Island is going to be a hard place to go, warns Cray Wanderers assistant Joe Vines

CRAY WANDERERS assistant manager Joe Vines says his side are expecting a competitive FA Trophy Preliminary Round tie at Canvey Island tomorrow.

The Wands are sitting proudly unbeaten at the top of the Bostik South East Division table with 25 points from their nine games and travel to Essex on the back of thrashing Faversham Town 7-2 at Hayes Lane last weekend.

Canvey Island are in sixth-place in the Bostik North Division with a record of three wins and three draws from their eight league outings.

Canvey Island celebrated winning The FA Trophy back in 2001.

“Canvey Island is going to be a hard place to go,” warns Vines, who is Tony Russell’s number two.

“We played them in pre-season in a really competitive friendly under Danny Heale. Now Dan has stepped upstairs Mark Bentley will bring a different philosophy but we know they will still be hardworking and honest.

“The way we have been playing recently we come into the game with great confidence and belief and we want to win and have a little extra-curricular fun in the Trophy like we did last year.”

Faversham Town bounced back from their thrashing last weekend by drawing East Grinstead Town 1-1 at Salters Lane on Tuesday night.

“Last week's win against Faversham was a mixed bag of some really excellent play, great goals and then some pretty big reminders of when you feel most comfortable how football can bite you,” said Vines.

“Tony (Russell) and I had a really good chat with Ray Turner before the match and I can honestly say he is one of a handful of managers that is just a proper old-school honest football man who we both respect for everything he has done.

“He was telling us about how when he joined the club they had no reserves and no youth structure and he has toiled away silently to build that club into what it is today (alongside others I might add.)  What an inspirational man!

“When it came to the game itself, he surprised us by fielding a less physically imposing side than we had planned for. I'm not sure whether injuries and suspensions played a part but we expected a bit more of an aerial onslaught if I'm honest.

“We started well, then had to rely on a very good save from Nick Blue at one nil that could have swung the game either way.

“We had a Junior Dadson on the sort of form that showed exactly why we brought him in, he was excellent!

“We were disappointed in the goals against us. All good sides build on clean sheets so we have got to do better if we are to compete for the whole of this season.

“We have been struggling with injuries since really early on this season and thankfully the youngsters have come in and stepped up.

“There is no secret that we have been missing Michael Power with a back injury, Karl Dent has had a hand problem, Ben Mundele had a hamstring niggle, Aaron Rhule got clattered against Hythe and Mitchell Nelson was out through suspension.

“We have had to shuffle the pack much earlier than we expected but the lads have been brilliant. Tom Phipp has never played centre back in his life and the fella has dropped in and been top class.

“We have Malik Solebo came in this year, he's 17, he's class, he has a trick and a flick but he's eager to learn and improve on other parts of his game.

“Freddie Parker has had a tough time in recent months with various trials not coming to fruition. He's a young man with a great chance of going all the way, for me. The only thing stopping Fred, is Fred. Forget his goals but his movement, his strength and intelligence are excellent. He needs to learn to accept his mistake and move on quickly and he will be a top player, in my opinion, a League player.

“We are pleased with our progress so far but not getting carried away at this stage with not even a third of the season gone, there is far too much football between now and April to get too excited!”

Visit Cray Wanderers website:  www.cray-wanderers.com

Canvey Island  v  Cray Wanderers
The Buildbase FA Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 13 October 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park Lane, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 5PX