I don't think top spot is done and dusted yet, says Cray Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins

Wednesday 02nd February 2011
CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins says their clash against league leaders Sutton United on Saturday will show him how far his side have come this season, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Wands hold the upper hand over Paul Doswell’s hunted side, having claimed a point at Gander Green Lane when the two sides last men back in October, courtesy of a Ross Lover penalty as the hosts were lucky to escape with a point.

The Surrey side have led the way for the majority of the season and have clinched 52 points from 26 games at the summit of the Ryman Premier League table - nine points clear of the sixth-placed Wands, who are enjoying their must enjoyable league campaign ever.

Cray Wanderers are ready to face Sutton United, who are hitting a rocky patch, form wise.

“We played very well over there on the day,” recalled Jenkins.  “Very similar to last year, we went there and beat them and they beat us at home.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday. I think it will be a good game and it will be a good test to see how far we’ve come this season.

“They’re still favourites to get promoted and are sitting in a perfect position, but I’m confident.  

Jenkins added: “We know what we’re up against and if we play anywhere near our ability, we can get a result.”

Jenkins has two former Sutton players in his squad, diminutive midfielder Danny Phillips, and 19-goal French striker, Laurent Hamici.

“Laurent and Danny played for them last year so there’s a little bit of friction there,” said Jenkins.

“You want to beat your old side, don’t you? So hopefully they’ll be up for it on the day and get us a result.”

Jenkins was pleased to come away from Vale Farm with a point against Hendon at the weekend, in an entertaining 2-2 draw, courtesy of an own goal and Chris Saunders.

He said: “It was a well entertaining game to be honest with you, end to end stuff.

“First half we had three or four good chances, we could have gone in quite easily three or four nil up.

“We went in 1-0 up and told the boys to concentrate and not concede, like we did against Lowestoft, and low and behold we did and it went end-to-end then.  It could have easily been 7-6 to one side.  It was an entertaining game.”

Jenkins added: “ It that doesn’t bring the crowds back I don’t know what will!  Both teams wanted to get the ball down and play, on a not very good surface, but it was a good game.  A fair result in the end, I think.

“I said before the game, if we do better than we did last year I’d be pleased.  I think we got there 20 minutes before kick-off and ended up losing 2-0.

“They’ve got a lot of games in hand as well and they will be there or there abouts at the end of the season as well.

“I think any point away from home against teams around us is a very good point.”

The Wands have slipped out of the play-off zone, mainly because of the form of their Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels, who have won eight of their last nine league games and are now in fourth place in the table.

“Tonbridge are the form side at the moment, so fair play to Tom (Warrilow).  Since we beat them 4-0 they’ve turned it around a few months ago,” added Jenkins.

“They’re a team on a roll but there’s teams right down to tenth who can go on a roll and nick top spot.  I don’t think top spot is done and dusted yet.  I think everyone’s still vying for that top spot.

“We were unlucky not to get anything out of Lowestoft the other week.  Everyone was saying how good they were and if you finish above them you get promoted - but I was disappointed with them.

“If we play as we have been - hopefully we will - I’m not going to worry too much about Sutton.”

So can Cray Wanderers clinch promotion at the end of the season and join landlords Bromley in Blue Square Bet South?

Jenkins replied: “Yes!  Why not?  That’s the goal!  Until we can’t do that then obviously we’re going to go for it.  Why not?  We’ve always said that, me and Joe (Francis).  We want to manage and coach as high as we can so if we get promoted this year, then fantastic!

“I don’t think we can improve anymore really, we’ve got to stop conceding sloppy goals.  We’re second top goalscorers in the league, we’re happy where we are at the minute, me, Joe and Blado (Paul Blade).

“We’ll crack on again, win a few games in a mini-season and see what happens.”

Jenkins takes his side to sixteenth-placed Horsham next Tuesday night and the long-serving boss added: “That’s a tough game! I watched them against Kingstonian a few weeks ago and they were a decent side.  They’ve been down the bottom but they’ve had a run of good results, they’ve beaten Sutton as well.  

“It won’t be easy down there on a Tuesday night, it’s a bit of a trek.”

Rock solid central defender, Mark Willy, meanwhile, is still no nearer to a return to fitness, after injuring his left knee at Margate on Boxing Day.

Jenkins added: “He will be out for another three or four weeks yet.  He’s had a scan and it’s come back and he hasn’t done any major damage so what it is now is treatment and rehabilitation now.”

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

Cray Wanderers  v  Sutton United
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 5th February 2011 
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF