Knight gets nod for Swans' showdown

IAN JENKINS has told his Cray Wanderers side to take advantage of a full FA Carlsberg Trophy programme to keep their promotion push on track, writes Stephen McCartney.

It’s third-against-fourth at Hayes Lane tomorrow as Walton & Hersham visit in the only fixture scheduled for the Ryman League Division One South.

And Jenkins, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the Swans' showdown, knows his side must gain maximum points against their fellow promotion candidates.

Jenkins saw his side lose second place on Tuesday night as Folkestone Invicta leapfrogged over them with a 2-0 win over Metropolitan Police at Cheriton Road.

Both sides therefore go into the Hayes Lane clash with five wins and two draws from their games this season, although Walton & Hersham have played a game more.

Cray Wanderers must win by three clear goals to reclaim second place, but their ten-day break has allowed three players to recover from knocks.

“Jamie Kempster’s still out, he’s got another week out and Shawn Beveney’s probably a little bit longer than that with two or three weeks with his knee, (he) came back too early. Other than that, Jamie Wood, Matt Lee and Danny Chapman are back in contention," revealed Jenkins.

With goalkeeper Glen Knight fit, following his recent thigh injury, Jenkins has decided to send young goalkeeper Jack Bradshaw out on loan to a near-by Kent League club.

“I’ve loaned Jack Bradshaw out to Erith Town,” he said. “He’s obviously started the season with us as Knight’s been injured, but now Knight’s back, I told Jack before the season if Knight got himself back fit he’ll come straight back in.

“That’s my outlook on goalkeeper’s. The senior one comes in (as) he’s first choice, so I’ve loaned him out instead of playing in our reserves.”

The Kent side have gone through four training sessions since their last game - a 2-1 win at Dulwich Hamlet - and Jenkins feels his side are ready for competitive action.

“We haven’t played for ten days, it’s the only league game tomorrow so it’s a catch up game on the other teams that played in midweek, so we need to get a result,” said Jenkins.

“It’s four (training sessions) we’ve had, (we’re) feeling fine, good as gold. A win (by three clear goals) takes us into second place. Top will be nice, second place is good enough.”

Jenkins will speak to his friend, Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott, for some inside knowledge on the Swans.

“I’m going to speak to Gary Abbott tonight or tomorrow morning about them, as they beat them 2-1 last week - you don’t want to be slipping up.”

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

Cray Wanderers v Walton & Hersham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 4^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF