Cray Wanderers return to league action on Saturday following last weekend’s Storm Eunice impacted break with a trip to Horsham. Kick off at the Camping World Community Stadium is 3pm.
BROMLEY, GREATER LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 05: Cray Wanderers’s Jamie Yila makes everyone watch as he cuts across the field during The Pitching In Isthmian Premier League match between Cray Wanderers and Merstham at Hayes Lane on February 05, 2022 in Bromley, Greater London, England . (Photo: © Jon Hilliger / HilligerPix)
Grant Basey’s Wands side will be looking to build on two encouraging performances away from home at Wingate & Finchley and Folkestone Invicta which deserved to yield more than the one point gained. Cray are currently 19th in the Isthmian Premier League table on 27 points and have eleven games to go as we begin to enter the last two months of the season and plenty of points on offer.
With the break last weekend it did give time for a much needed breather after a long run of league matches since November and hope to have Sam Wood back after missing the last two games with injury while loanee keeper from Millwall U23s, Joe Wright has been signed for a month to help cover for the injured Bailey Vose. The Wands will be looking for a similar performance to the one on 8th December when Cray upset the form book by beating a Horsham side who had won their last seven games 3-1 at Hayes Lane with goals from Kyel Reid, Chris Dickson and Jamie Yila. Charlie Harris responded with an injury time penalty for Horsham.
Horsham currently lie 13th in the Isthmian Premier league table with 37 points but have hit a rich vein of scoring form of late with 11 goals in the last 3 home games. On Tuesday night, the Hornets advanced in the Velocity Trophy with a 5-0 win at home to Corinthian Casuals with goals from Lee Harding (2), Eddie Dsane, Jack Brivio and Will Miles.
Home form has seen wins against Merstham (3-0) , Margate (2-1), Wingate & Finchley (2-0), East Thurrock United (3-1) and Kingstonian (4-0). They drew with Bognor Regis Town (1-1), Bishop’s Stortford (1-1), Corinthian Casuals (1-1) , Bowers & Pitsea (1-1) and Carshalton Athletic (2-2) with home defeats to Hornchurch (0-2), Potters Bar Town (1-3), Cheshunt (0-2). Lewes (1-3) and Enfield Town (3-4).
Despite only winning one of their first ten league games the Hornets had a superb if arduous FA Cup run which saw three ties go to replays and then a very long trip to Carlisle United in the 1st Round. Wins against Haywards Heath Town, Kingstonian, Eastbourne Borough and at home to Woking set up the trip to Cumbria which Horsham lost with credit 0-2. In the FA Trophy Horsham were beaten in the 3QR at home to Carshalton Athletic but have advanced to the Semi-Final of the Sussex Senior Cup after wins against Pagham, Hastings United and Saltdean to set up a home tie with BrIghton & Hove Albion. Shamir Fenelon is the top scorer with 15 goals this season for Dominic Di Paolo’s side.
This will be only the second time the sides have met at Horsham’s new ground after the sides drew 1-1 on 22nd October 2019 with both sides promoted from the Isthmian South-East the previous season with both goals in the first half when a Jay Leader header cancelled out a Lea Dawson goal for the home side.
This has the makings of a good competitive game and a chance perhaps to take a break from the recent bad weather with an enjoyable trip to Sussex.
DIRECTIONS TO HORSHAM FC
The Camping World Community Stadium, Hop Oast, Worthing Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 0AX
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults – £11
Seniors (over 60) – £6
Under 18s* – £6
Students* – £6
Under 16s – £2
Under 5s – FREE
Pay on the gate or purchase tickets online at https://horshamfc.ktckts.com
*on day of match (proof of age may be required)
Arriving by car
Where possible, supporters travelling by car should arrange to share with others.
The quickest route from St. Mary Cray: Take Court Road/Orpington by pass/A224 to M25 in Chelsfield. At Hewitts Roundabout take 2nd exit onto M25 heading to Sevenoaks/A21 for 0.8 miles. At roundabout take 2nd exit onto M25 slip road to M23/M3/M4/Gatwick/Heathrow/Hastings/Sevenoaks/A21. After 0.4 miles merge onto M25 for 3 miles.
At junction 5, use left two lanes to take M25 exit to M23/Gatwick/Heathrow/M4 for 0.8 miles. And continue onto M25 for 11.7 miles. At junction 7, use left 2 lanes to take M23 (S) exit to Brighton/Crawley/Gatwick for 1 mile then merge onto M23 for 13.2 miles. At junction 11, take the A264 exit to Horsham.
After 0.3 miles take at roundabout 3rd exit onto A264 then after 0.3 miles at Tollgate Hill roundabout take 2nd exit, staying on A264 for 1.4 miles. At roundabout take 1st exit onto Horsham Road/A264 and follow for 0.6 miles. Then at Kilnwood Vale roundabout take 2nd exit onto Crawley Road/A264 for 1.3 miles and then at Moorhead roundabout take 2nd exit onto A264 for 0.7 miles.
Then at Rusper Road Roundabout take 2nd exit and stay on A264 for 1.30 miles then at Great Daux roundabout take 1st exit on to A24 for 0.6 miles. Then at Robin Hood roundabout take 2nd exit and stay on A24 for 3 miles. Finally at Hop Oast roundabout take 1st exit onto Worthing Road/B2237. After 0.2 miles turn right and ground will be on the left.
Please note that parking in the Stadium Car Park will be limited on matchdays to Players, Match Officials, Home and Visiting Club Officials and Invited Guests. There are a small number of reserved spaces for drivers displaying Blue Parking Badges which are subject to availability and must be booked through the Club office in advance.
All supporters arriving by car will be directed to the Hop Oast Park & Ride, which is located opposite the access lane to the Stadium. The Post Code is RH13 0AR. It is five minutes’ walk to the Stadium and qualified marshals will be on hand to assist you across the main road. When big attendances are expected, information will be published on additional parking arrangements nearby with a free shuttle service to the Stadium.
There is strictly NO MATCHDAY PARKING in Worthing Road, Denne Park, Salisbury Road, Horsham Golf & Fitness or the access lane to the Stadium.
**Please note that, where big crowds are anticipated, supporters are requested to use the RSPCA car park from where there will be regular shuttle busses to the ground
By Rail
Horsham Railway Station is served by frequent trains from London, Gatwick, Crawley and the South Coast. There are up to five Metrobus services an hour to the Stadium from Bus Stop L (see information above).
Trains to Horsham go from London Victoria and leave at ten minutes from 5 past the hour. Please note some trains may be busier than normal due to engineering work between Three Bridges/Lewes/Brighton but trains seem to be stopping at Horsham. Trains at 25 past the hour stop at more stations en route and takes 1 hr 18 mins. Best to check National Rail enquiries before travelling. From 5pm there are five trains per hour going back to Victoria from Horsham station.
You can also get there from London Bridge but is much easier to go from Victoria as you will have to change at Three Bridges to get a connection to Horsham.
By Bus
The most convenient means of travel to the Stadium is by bus.
Metrobus run up to four services an hour on Route 98 to the Stadium from Roffey, Southwater and Horsham Railway and Bus Stations, with more extensive hourly services on Route 23 from Crawley and Worthing. Travel time from Horsham Bus Station is five minutes. Subject to demand, the Stadium will be served by double-decker vehicles on matchdays.
As a result of Covid, Metrobus have made some amendments to their timetables for Routes 23 and 98 to and from the ground. There are still up to four buses an hour but capacity is restricted and supporters may find that they are unable to board if the maximum permitted number of passengers is reached.
Supporters should ask the driver for “Golf Club for Horsham FC.”
Nearest pub: If you have time on your hands for our first trip on a Saturday to the new ground then The Bear, 17 Market Square RH12 1EU about half a mile from Horsham station looks to be the best rated but plenty of choices elsewhere.
Horsham is a market town in West Sussex lying in the Weald between the North and South Downs. Any early visitors may wish to visit the Carfax which is an pedestrianised square which includes a war memorial, a bandstand and traditionally has a market on a Saturday.
