I'm well happy to be honest with you, says Cray Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins

CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins says his side are buzzing going into tonight’s game against Wealdstone at Hayes Lane, writes Stephen McCartney.


Seven days ago the Wands thrashed Tooting & Mitcham United 4-0 on their travels and booked a place in the Third Qualifying Round of The FA Cup after thrashing Kent League side Erith Town 5-0 at Hayes Lane a couple of days ago.

Cray Wanderers, who have never reached the first round, are looking forward to a lucrative home clash against Blue Square Bet South high-flyers Dartford on 15 October.

Jenkins’ side are presently in fourth place in the Ryman Premier League table with 19 points from 9 games – two points behind leaders Lowestoft Town.

Looking ahead to tonight’s visit from eleventh-placed Wealdstone, Jenkins insists his players will be ready after playing in hot temperatures on Sunday.

He said: “I had seven sitting on the bench on Sunday.  I’ve signed a couple of other kids so we have got quite a good squad.

“We had Wealdstone watched on Saturday, (my scout) Mark Hanscombe went to watch them and we had some positive reports back about their systems and that.

“We’re on a run, we’ve lost (two league games this season), so we’re on a run.”

Cray Wanderers have a side that can go on and win the title.  They are playing the most attractive football and are classed as real title contenders this season.

“People are talking about that,” said Jenkins.  “I know it’s early days but if we can keep the squad fit and you keep winning, youngsters like winning.  It’s how you bounce back when you have a few defeats on the bounce.  We bounced back last week at Tooting with a great result down there.”

Jenkins revealed why his goalkeeper, Andy Walker, who has arrived from Maidstone United, has kept six clean sheets in their first eleven games into the new season.

He said:  “Since (vice-chairman) John Woolf said to the boys’ he’s going to give the boys’ a clean sheet bonus to go in the pot at the end of the season to go on the tour and the boys’ have really stepped up and fair play to them!

Cray Wanderers are playing some quality passing football during their games this morning and jubilant players sing Oasis’ track Champagne Supernova inside their dressing room after every win.

Jenkins added: “It’s been going well.  I’m well happy to be honest with you.

“It’s been a bad time for me because my old man ain’t been well and it’s been a bit of a shock and I don’t know what’s going on with him.  The boys’ keep me buzzing and give me a lift.  Long may that continue!”

Jenkins takes his side to Kingstonian on Saturday.  Alan Dowson’s side have started the campaign slowly and currently sit in fifteenth place.

“It’s always nice to see Alan Dowson because we always get on well with him,” said Jenkins.

“He’s another manager I’ve got so much respect for.  He backed me to the hilt last year when the crowd we’re giving me stick while we were losing a few games and he came here once and had a go at a few of our supporters.

“I done the same with him this year.  It’s one of them.  It’s a hard job, it doesn’t take much to lose a few games when a bit of bad luck goes against you all of the sudden you’re on the downward slide."

Jenkins added:  “It will be a good game. The pitch is always lovely, it’s a nice stadium.”

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

Cray Wanderers  v  Wealdstone
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 4^th October 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF