Francis faces Cup Final conundrum

CRAY WANDERERS will be without SEVEN players for their Kent Senior Cup Final against Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Hayes Lane showpiece final was postponed from last season as both clubs had other matters on their minds towards the end of last season.

The Wands suffered a 1-0 defeat at Tooting & Mitcham United, in the Ryman League Division One South play-off final, but seven days later, the Fleet won the FA Carlsberg Trophy, by beating favourites Torquay United 1-0 at Wembley Stadium - the greatest ever day in Kent football.

Cray Wanderers’ assistant manager Joe Francis, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, that his squad is stretched to the limit, as they bid to win the competition for the first time.

Steve Aris, Ryan Royston and Mark Willy are away on holiday and Aaron Day, Jamie Kempster, Matt Lee and Danny Chapman are expected not to be risked as they’re suffering from niggling injuries.

But Francis revealed that former Margate midfielder Dean Standen could feature, if he signs for the club in time and if he isn't cup-tied from last season.

The Kent County Football Association have told both clubs that players, who are not cup-tied from last season, and have officially signed for the club this season, can play in Saturday’s final.

“We’ve had a couple of new players that have come to sort of impress,” revealed Francis. “Dean Standen played centre midfield for us Wednesday night and looked very impressive.

“He comes with a pedigree, looks like a footballer and enjoyed ninety minutes.”

Francis, however, admitted delaying last season’s Kent Senior Cup final was the right decision.

“We were involved in the play-off’s and they were at Wembley, so it was quite tricky - its deemed common sense,” said Francis.

“It will be a nice occasion, it’s the only pre-season (game) we’ve got at home, so it will be nice to play at home.

“It will be a good occasion. Ebbsfleet did a wonderful thing for Kent by winning the FA Trophy and I fully respect them for that and they did ever so well in the Conference (Blue Square Premier) throughout the season.

“Obviously, we’d like to have everybody fit in an ideal world, but we’ve had players pick up niggles, but that happens through pre-season.

“But all the players are looking forward to it and if you look at our pre-season, every game becomes competitive and that’s what you want as you build up to the first (League) game.

“For the clubs perspective, it’s a real honour to be hosting the Kent Senior Cup Final and a chance for everyone affiliated with the club to celebrate a Cup Final, at the start of the season, which is quite strange.

“I remember playing for Welling and the (London Football Association) postponed a London Cup Final for a pre-season game, so it’s not unchartered territory.”

Francis isn’t sure what the mindset of his players will be - treating it like a Cup Final or a warm-up ahead of their Ryman League Division One South campaign.

“The disappointing thing is County Cups have to take a back seat when you have two respective clubs in their levels really, you just have to adapt,” he said.

“You’re looking at different things at this time of the season. We’re still looking at three or four players, no doubt they are too. The game takes on a different emphasis.

“We hope both sets of supporters come down and look at their new teams for the new season. It’s an exciting time pre-season. You feel you haven’t played anyone yet and you’re full of anticipation. We welcome Ebbsfleet and I’m sure all Cray supporters and everyone associated with the club will.

“It’s a bit of a conundrum. You play a pre-season game looking for different things and there’s also a prize at the end, which gives it a little bit of an edge, which is quite nice.

“I would say it’s quite an unique occasion when you’re caught between two stalls so to speak, when you’re looking at different things for a pre-season game but you’re looking to win a Cup Final. I’ll tell you at the end. I’m sure Ebbsfleet feel the same!

“It should be an interesting game. It’s nice to come up against real quality, that’s what you want as a player.

“We’re massive underdogs. I actually fancy us against any side, if we had a full strength side, but we’ve picked up a couple of injuries but we can compete against anybody but we have got some key positions missing. We just have to adapt, that’s what you’re job is as a coach and a manager.”

Francis admits that he doesn’t really enjoy this time of the year.

He said: “It’s putting petrol in your car, you’ve got to do it. All players have to go through pre-season, all managers and supporters do.

“It’s a little bit like warming up. It’s like, I don’t know, it’s like doing the washing up. It’s something you have to do but you just want to get on with the real thing.

“It’s necessary and you make it enjoyable. Our players have responded really well. I didn’t like it as a player as you just want to play for real points and real prizes. Unfortunately you have to go through preparation to do that.”

Keith Masters, the chief executive of the Kent County Football Association, is looking forward to the showpiece final.

“This match promises to be a very exciting encounter,” Mr Masters told www.kentfa.com.

“We are allowing the two clubs to use new players provided, of course, that they are properly registered to play.

“I hope that Kent football will support the match. I think we can promise a great afternoon.”

But the best things come to those who wait, and Francis agrees, by saying: “Both managers agreed that the best way forward was to play the game in pre-season because the prize awaiting them at the end of the season and that was wholeheartedly unique.

“We were in a play-off final and they were at Wembley and carrying the weight of Kent, all football club’s in Kent to Wembley.

“Out of respect Jenko (manager Ian Jenkins) said no problem, we’ll accommodate that because we wanted to support them in their pursuit of the FA Trophy.”

WAY BACK THEN - Kent Senior Cup Results Season 2007-08

First Round
Chatham Town 3-2 Folkestone Invicta
Margate 2-1 Welling United
Cray Wanderers 2-1 Maidstone United
Ashford Town 0-4 Tonbridge Angels
Dartford 2-0 Dover Athletic
Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Ramsgate
Sittingbourne 0-1 Whitstable Town

Quarter-Finals
Cray Wanderers 3-0 Whitstable Town
Bromley 4-2 Tonbridge Angels
Margate 2-1 Chatham Town
Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Dartford

Semi-Finals
Cray Wanderers 6-1 Bromley
Margate 1-4 Ebbsfleet United

Visit Cray Wanderers website:  www.craywands.co.uk

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Visit Bromley's website:  www.bromleyfc.net

Visit The Kent County Football Association website:  www.thefa.com

Cray Wanderers v Ebbsfleet United
Kent Senior Cup Final
Saturday 26^th July 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF