Our game at Carshalton should be a cracker, says Cray Wanderers assistant Joe Vines

CRAY WANDERERS assistant manager Joe Vines says he is enjoying being in the technical area.

The 36-year-old was appointed as Tony Russell’s number two and the club have climbed up to fourth-place in the Bostik South table following their 5-1 win over Ramsgate at Hayes Lane last night.

They had to wait until the stroke of half-time to break Ramsgate’s resilience when Michael Power poached Jay Leader’s goalbound free-header after Michael Frieter swung in a corner.

Power tucked home a penalty early in the second half after the striker was fouled in the box after turning Luke Wheatley, who was later sent-off for two yellow cards for bringing down Brandon Scott on the edge of the box.

Ramsgate scored on a counter-attack through Rory Smith’s tenth-goal of the season after Cray Wanderers messed up a free-kick at the other end.

Mitchell Nelson came up from the back to head in his third goal of the season before winger Aaron Rhule bent a shot through a crowd of players after a drag-back inside the box.

Power notched his 21^st goal of the season by completing his hat-trick after a raid involving Scott and unselfish play from substitute Jerome Frederico.

When asked about his new role, Vines said: “It’s probably more stressful than it is playing because you’re constantly thinking about the game, it’s 24-7.  We’ll talk about it on the way home, we’ll talk about it tomorrow. We’re always looking to improve the squad, get the best out of the boys that we’ve got.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying it, I must admit.  I do miss playing, you know me, I’m a competitor, I always have been and sometimes I miss the ability to actually influence the game.

“But with these boys they’ve never let me down so as it stands I’m as happy as I could be not playing.”

Cray Wanderers travel to Carshalton Athletic on Saturday, a side that are one place above the Wands with 40 points on the board, although Peter Adeniyi’s side have played a couple of games more.

“It will be interesting. I know Peter was watching us last night because I left him a ticket,” revealed Vines.

“He’s a good mate of mine for many, many years so it should be interesting. It’s a game to pick the interest, two sides who want to play football.  They’ve got very exciting players, there’s definitely two or three of their boys who I feel should be playing at a higher level.  I think it should be a cracker.”

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

Carshalton Athletic  v  Cray Wanderers
Bostik South Division
Saturday 2^nd December 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
at War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 2PW