We must stay in touch with the leaders, says Jenkins

CRAY WANDERERS manager Ian Jenkins praised his players’ reaction, as they knocked Horsham out of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Jenkins was indebted to the lethal left-foot of Tony Dolby during the 2-1 win over the Ryman Premier League side in the second qualifying round clash.

The Wands broke the deadlock, in awful conditions, on their return to Worthing’s Woodside Road ground, taking the lead after 23 minutes, through Dolby’s third goal of the season.

The 34-year-old struck a sweet left-footed free-kick over the wall, which dipped just lower than the top right corner.

The Kent side then sealed their passage into the final qualifying round with eight minutes left. Dolby turned provider when his pinpoint corner fell to Mark Willy, who planted a bullet header into the top far corner to open his goalscoring account for the season.

For Jenkins, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this lunchtime, it made up for their 4-1 defeat at the same venue against the Hornets’ landlords, Worthing, seven days earlier.

“We were outstanding to be honest with you mate,” said Jenkins. “After losing 4-1 last Saturday, we bounced back with two top performances. One against Folkestone and followed it up with the win at Horsham on Saturday.

“Obviously the conditions made it into a proper cup game. It wasn’t conducive for decent football. It was just the team who wanted it most.

“We set our stall out to not let them play, pressure them high up the pitch and not allowed them to play and it worked.”

British Gas Business Premier League side Brackley Town, who knocked Whitstable Town out in the first qualifying round, will now travel to Hayes Lane in the third and final qualifying round on Saturday, 22^nd November.

But Jenkins fancies his side’s chances against more higher league opposition.

“Obviously their standard’s similar to Horsham, in the premier of their league,” he said. “We normally do better against teams higher than us in cup competitions. It’s nice to get a home tie anyway.”

But promotion into the Ryman Premier League is still on Jenkins’ agenda this season and the boss wants maximum points from Tuesday night’s trip to struggling Chipstead.

Despite the Chips’ reaching the final qualifying round of the FA Cup, losing 4-1 at Blue Square Premier giants Torquay United, their league form, however, remaining disappointing.

The Surrey side are fourth from bottom in the Ryman League Division One South table with two wins and four draws from 11 league outings, and have lost their last two league games since playing at Plainmoor.

Both Cray Wanderers and their Kent rivals, Folkestone Invicta, are fighting for third spot. Neil Cugley’s side can retain that position if they win at Godalming Town.

“We’re playing a little bit of catch up now, a lot of teams played on Saturday,” explained Jenkins.

“We have to go down there nice and positive and get the three points, which I think we will do.”

But Jenkins warned: “Chipstead are struggling, it’s quite a strong league, there’s not a team that are whipping boys. On their day they can beat anyone. We have to apply ourselves the right way.”

Jenkins revealed Jamie Wood (hamstring) and Tommy Whitnell (thigh) are doubtful, although the pair may be fit enough for Saturday’s home game against Fleet Town.

Jenkins also revealed that striker, Shawn Beveney, is on international duty.

About this time last season, the Wands went on their 28-match unbeaten run, and Jenkins believes he has the players in his squad to repeat that feat.

“Yes why not, of course we can do it again,” said Jenkins. “Unbeaten runs breads confidence in the squad.

“We’ve definitely got the players to do it, a blend of youth and experience, they’ve done it last year, the majority of them. I’m sure we can do it.”

Jenkins’ side are nine points behind unbeaten league leaders Kingstonian and wants his side to keep within touching distance of the Surrey giants to ensure when the two sides do lock horns - Boxing Day and on Easter Monday - the results mean something.

“There’s not a team running away from it like Dover did last year and we have to play them (twice),” said Jenkins.

“They’re always tight games against Kingstonian (but) we have to be up there or thereabouts when we do play them.

“We have to not let our form drop. If we stay in touch when we do play them, they’ll be deciding games.”

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

Chipstead v Cray Wanderers
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 4^th November 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF