We have to stand up and compete against the league leaders Billericay, says Ian Jenkins

CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins says he is relishing the home clash against league leaders Billericay Town on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Wands boss said he was pleased with the point collected following their goal-less home draw against Hendon, a result that keeps the Kent side in sixth-place in the Ryman Premier League table on 28 points from 17 games, just three points adrift of fifth-placed side Lewes.

Billericay Town, however, arrive at Hayes Lane sitting at the summit of the table with 37 points from 16 games, two points clear of their Essex rivals’ AFC Hornchurch.

Jenkins knows his side are capable of beating Billericay Town and competing for a place in the play-offs at the end of the season.

“We’re not even halfway through the season and we’re in there,” said Jenkins.

“We’re only nine points off Billericay and they’re coming here on Tuesday night.   Listen, there’s a long, long way to go and we’re good enough.”

Looking ahead to the game against the leaders, Jenkins said: “Tough game!  It always is when you play them.  They’re a physical side, they compete.  We just have to stand up and compete with them and hopefully our footballers will be there on the night and pass the ball around them hopefully.  That’s what we look to do every game.  It will be a bit physical, a battle.”

Jenkins is relishing a busy schedule between now and over the Christmas and New Year period.

“We haven’t had a midweek game for about three weeks.  We’ve been training and you can only do so much,” he said.

“I just think you need games and they’re coming thick and fast and I’m well pleased we’ve got a game coming up on Tuesday night.”

Taking part in the warm-up before Sunday’s game against Hendon was Joe Vines and Jenkins revealed the central defender isn’t too far away from a return to fitness following injury, which has forced him out of the season so far.

Jenkins said: “He’s not too far away Joe.  He’s two or three weeks’ away. He’s getting himself back to fitness now.  He’s done work with Charlton Athletic’s physio, who is helping us out massively.

“It will be a big plus.  He will be like a new signing.  He can’t wait.  He’s chomping at the bit to get out there.  It will be nice to give him a game by the end of the year.”

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

Cray Wanderers  v  Billericay Town
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 29^th November 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF