Jenkins wants to lead Wands into first round

Wednesday 09th September 2009

CRAY WANDERERS manager Ian Jenkins says all his attentions turn to making this season one to remember when it comes to the FA Cup, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wands travel to Ryman League Division One South side Walton & Hersham with a much better away record than their one at home, having picked up all seven points on their travels in the Ryman Premier League.

But Jenkins is desperate to lead the club into the first round proper for the first time in the club’s proud 150 year history.

“The players enjoy playing in the competition and it’ll be nice to have a break from the league, especially as the results haven’t quite been going our way,” Jenkins told www.craywands.co.uk.

“Different levels and different league positions don’t make a bit of a difference in the Cup. Just as long as our lads play to their full potential then I’ll be happy.”

The long-serving Jenkins added, “It’ll be nice to go on a decent cup run this year, see if we can go beyond the fourth qualifying round. That would be really something special in our 150th year if we’re in the first round proper for the first time ever.”

The Wands go into the first qualifying round clash without goalkeeper Glen Knight, long-serving midfielder Jamie Kempster, and striker Michael Power, who have all left the Hayes Lane based club.

“With Knighty, we could see it coming, but we’re still gutted,” explained Jenkins. “Glen’s job was giving him more and more responsibility and the inevitable had to happen.

“He’s now taken on the role of goalkeeping coach at West Ham’s Chadwell Heath training ground and we’re sending our goalkeepers over to him once a week.

“When he told me he was leaving, we had a handshake and I wished him all the best for the future.”

Speaking about Kempster, who has been troubled by injur this season, has signed for Kent League dark-horses Erith Town on dual-registration forms.

“He’ll be signing with Erith Town on dual registration,” said Jenkins. “I’ve had a word with their manager (Steve O’Boyle) and hope we can have Jamie back when we need him.

“Good luck to him. He’s been suffering a bit of late with injuries, but he’s really going to be missed around the club. He’s been a great and loyal servant.”

After Power gave his own opinion on his own departure earlier in the week, Jenkins gave his own take on the incident during the half-time interval against Canvey Island at Hayes Lane last weekend.

“It’s unfortunate. Something happened in the changing room on Saturday, I won’t go into detail but, after I spent Saturday night into Sunday thinking about it, I had to tell him I’ve got to release him,” explained Jenkins.

“I’m really gutted it had to happen. I still think he’s a quality player and I wish him all the best. I’ll even help him if he wants to find another club.”

Quotes courtesy of www.craywands.co.uk

Walton & Hersham v Cray Wanderers

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round

Saturday 12th September 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Stompond Lane, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 1HF