Cray Wanderers return to league action on Saturday 23rd October after a two week absence with a trip to Hertfordshire to face an in form Cheshunt side. Kick off 3pm.
After a difficult September, Cray Wanderers picked up four points from two away games in October, a 3-1 win at Carshalton was followed a week later with a gritty point from a 1-1 draw at Haringey on 9th October. Due to Folkestone Invicta and Horsham’s involvement in the FA Cup 4QR last weekend the two planned October games were called off leaving a little breathing space for Danny Kedwell’s side ahead of a busy November in the league and the start of the FA Trophy campaign.
Cray did play Basildon United in a friendly game on 13th October winning 4-2 where Fjord Rogers scored twice before a month loan spell at Sevenoaks Town and Richard Afrane-Kesey who has played impressively in the three matches so far scored a terrific free kick to help Cray win the game. Jamie Yila returned to top form at Haringey scoring a great solo goal and defensively the team have been more solid with youngsters, Freddie Barton, Freddy Cray and Tom Hanfrey superb alongside the experience of Dean Beckwith while Marvin McCoy who missed the trip to Haringey scored on his debut at Carshalton and another key figure in defence. Quaine Bartley’s month work experience loan from AFC Wimbledon has now ended and the winger has now returned to the Dons. It is hoped that the injury situation which was very difficult during August and September can ease for Danny with Charlie Allen and Joey Taylor perhaps the longer term injuries. The injuries have not helped Danny field a settled team every week but with perhaps a couple of new faces coming in and more stability a regular side will begin to take shape. Cray will play Charlton Athletic U23s in a friendly on Wednesday 27th October to help keep the momentum going ahead of the FA Trophy tie with Kings Langley on 31st October.
BROMLEY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Cray Wanderers’s captain, Dean Beckwith, gets higher than Potters Bar Town’s Kieron Cathline to head on goal during the The Pitching In Isthmian Premier League match between Cray Wanderers and Potters Bar Town at Hayes Lane on September 12, 2021 in Bromley, England . (Photo: © Jon Hilliger / HilligerPix)
Cheshunt have made a very solid start to the season under the canny stewardship of Craig Edwards and lie 8th in the table after a 2-0 win at Horsham on Tuesday night with goals from Reece Beckles-Richards and Nordibek Bobomuradov. The Ambers have 18 points from 12 games played and at home have beaten East Thurrock United 3-0, Brightlingsea Regent 3-1 and drawn with Margate 1-1. Cheshunt lost at home to Merstham (0-1), Carshalton Athletic (1-3) and Bognor Regis Town (0-1). Away form has been good with wins at Potters Bar Town (3-1), Hornchurch (1-0) and Horsham (2-0) picking up points from draws at Lewes and Kingstonian. Their only away defeat was to league leaders Enfield Town in on August Bank Holiday Monday. In the FA Cup, Cheshunt advanced through two away ties at Brentwood Town and Hitchin Town before losing to cup giant-killers AFC Sudbury in the 3QR. Top scorer so far this season is ex-Cray Wanderers Youth player Ken Charles with 7 goals.
Going back through league history the Wands and Cheshunt were regular opponents for seven seasons between 1955-56 to 1961-62 in the London League Division One and Aetolian Leagues. The overall record against Cheshunt is P. 19 W11 D2 L5. Our last visit to Theobalds Lane came on 2nd April, 2016 with Cray winning 1-0 with a James Duckworth goal (see below). Of course the two sides were due to meet on Saturday 13th March 2020 but the season was suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic on the eve of the game and the match never took place.
Cheshunt were promoted in the 2018-19 season from the Isthmian South-Central Division via the playoffs beating Marlow and Bracknell Town 3-0 in the Final to reach the Premier for the first time since 2003-04. In 2019-20 Cheshunt were lying 18th in the Isthmian Premier league table when the season ended in March 2020 but last season were flying and were 2nd in the table after 11 games with 20 points but the season was curtailed in November 2020.
Both amber and black wearing sides have had been playing well of late and this should be a fascinating game and for Cray fans great to be back playing football again.
DIRECTIONS & ADMISSION PRICES
Address:
The Stadium, Theobalds Lane, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Herts EN8 8RU
Adult: — £12.00 (£10.00 online)
Concessions: – £8.00 (£5.00 online)
U16s: – £ 2.00 (£1.00 online)
https://cheshuntfc.ktckts.com/event/chn2122h07/cheshunt-v-cray-wanderers
Programme: Online
BY ROAD
From the M25 motorway exit at Junction 25 taking the A10 (Great Cambridge Road) north following signs for Hertford. At the first roundabout take the third exit following signs for Cheshunt/Waltham Cross A121 (Winston Churchill Way). At the next roundabout take the first exit following signs for Cheshunt B176 (High Street). Continue under the Railway Bridge and turn left at the next mini roundabout into Theobalds Lane. Cheshunt Stadium is 800 yards along on the right hand side. The ground has a car park with spaces for 200 vehicles.
By Rail:
Theobalds Grove Station is a 5 minute walk away on the corner of the High Street and Theobalds Lane and enjoys a half hourly service to Seven Sisters (Victoria Line) and Liverpool Street. Please note that Cheshunt Station is not the nearest station to the ground.
Trains leave Liverpool Street at 15 & 45 minutes past the hour and takes 35 minutes to get there. Returns are at 05 & 35 minutes past the hour. Theobalds Grove is in Travel Card Zone 7.
From the station walk east on the Arches and at roundabout take the 2nd exit onto High Street/B176. At the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Theobalds Lane for 0.5 miles then turn right onto Great Cambridge Road/A10 for 0.2 miles and to the ground.
By Bus:
Bus routes 310, 310a (Waltham Cross to Hertford) 242 (Waltham Cross to Potters Bar) and 251 (Waltham Abbey to Cheshunt) all stop at Theobalds Grove Station.
The nearest pubs to the ground are close to Theobalds Grove Station. The Vine, Coach & Horses and The Wheatsheaf are in Waltham Cross High Street and perhaps going the other way to the direction of the ground and good if you have plenty of time on your hands.
Cheshunt is a commuter town in the Hertfordshire borough of Broxbourne and is fairly close by rail links to London and is located in the Lea Valley. It is also home to Tesco’s head office and also the home headquarters of Lotus Cars and as the home of legendary singer, Cliff Richard. Queen Elizabeth I lived there as a young Princess.
If you have time on your hands Cedar Park, a short walk to the ground which includes the lavish Theobalds Palace which was a favourite residence of Kings James I is well worth a visit. It covers 19 acres and includes gardens, a maze, monuments and a mini zoo (the smallest in the UK). Many years ago it was the home of the Temple Bar Gate which has since been moved to London.
