Francis plots revenge

CRAY WANDERERS’ assistant manager Joe Francis says he wants to “put one over” Tooting & Mitcham United when the two sides clash on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

It will be the Wands’ first visit to Imperial Fields since that heartbreaking day last May when the Terrors scored the only goal of the game to win the Ryman League Division One South play-off final.

Although tomorrow’s game is a quarter-final tie in the London Senior Cup, which is incidentally sponsored by Hillman Contractors, the company of Wands’ chairman Gary Hillman, revenge over George Wakeling and Billy Smith, is on the agenda.

“It’s a competition that we feel we can do well in,” Francis told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It will give us an opportunity to play players who haven’t had some game time and players returning from injuries and suspensions - and maintain the winning habit.

“It’s a nice opportunity to put one over George and Billy.”

When asked why, Francis replied, “Well, you know, it goes back further than that (last season’s play-off final misery) - having played for George.

“Having seen George and Billy on a social occasion a couple of weeks ago, their priority is to maintain their Ryman Premier League status. For both of us, we have our eyes on our league season, for different reasons.”

Whilst Cray are sitting proudly at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table, six points clear of wobbling Kingstonian, who have three games in hand, Tooting & Mitcham United are in fourteenth place in the Ryman Premier, five points clear of relegation.

The victors at Imperial Fields shall lock horns with Ryman Premier League strugglers Hendon, who defeated Erith & Belvedere 4-0 at Park View Road.

Whoever gets to the final, which this year will be played at AFC Wimbledon on April 21^st, will play either Croydon Athletic, Kingstonian, Fisher Athletic or Harrow Borough.

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

Tooting & Mitcham United v Cray Wanderers
London Senior Cup Quarter-Final
Tuesday 10^th March 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Imperial Fields, Bishopsford Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 6BF