Cray Wanderers vs Bognor Regis Town – FA Cup 1QR Replay – Wednesday 7th September, 7.45 pm – Match Preview
Pics: Ozay Booth
There is FA Cup replay action at Hayes Lane on Wednesday evening as Cray Wanderers and Bognor Regis Town meet for the third time this season for the right to host Hampton & Richmond Borough in the 2nd Qualifying Round on the weekend of 17th/18th September.
This will be the first home FA Cup replay for Cray since September 2006 vs Winchester City and after two 2-2 draws there has been little to choose between the sides and very competitive games. Please note if the match is drawn after 90 minutes, during the qualifying round stages all replays will be decided after extra time and penalties.
Saturday’s tie at Nyewood Lane, Neil Smith’s first FA Cup tie as Cray Wanderers manager saw the Wands get off to the perfect start with Gary Lockyer’s first goal in his first start after nine minutes. Bognor levelled fifteen minutes later through Nick Dembele but Cray restored the lead on 66 minutes with Michael Ademiluyi also getting off the mark for the club.
However, Bognor have shown resilience in the two games and levelled again two minutes later with Nathan Odonkoyero scoring from close range for his third goal against the Wands in the two games.
In the end a draw was about the right outcome as both sides could have won it at the end but over the game Cray and Bognor merited another crack at winning the tie.
The earlier game between the sides finished in a 2-2 draw in the league on 17th August with Harold Joseph and Nyren Clunis scoring for Cray before Odonkonyero scored twice late on to take a point and made it five games unbeaten for the Wands.
There were some very good performances once again on Saturday with Dan Bassett outstanding out on the left wing, Tom Derry strong and decisive up front, Mitch Chapman continues to impress in midfield and Sinn’kaye Christie alongside Jalen Jones have been excellent at the back. Overall though it was a good team performance and a new team with only six games behind them are beginning to gel.
Bognor Regis though have been very good opponents during the two games and as the season progresses will be up there with the contenders and Robbie Blake’s side have a good mixture of youth and experience and Toby Steward in goal and Alfie Bridgman out wide, both on loan from Portsmouth look very good prospects. After five league games Bognor lie 9th in the table on 7 points, two places and a point behind Cray.
Cup ties under the lights are always that little bit special and this could be one to savour on a Wednesday evening and guaranteed excitement.
Admission £12 adults, £6 concessions/u18s on the gate or online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets. Please note that season tickets will not be valid on the night.
