Cray Wanderers (A) - 26th December 2023

By Josh Cole

Every football fan’s favourite day is here… It’s Boxing Day as we travel to Hayes Lane, home of Bromley FC to face Cray Wanderers for matchday #21.

Our last game, on the 16th of December, we shared the points at home against Kingstonian. You can read the full match report by clicking here.

Mark Stimson will be without his captain, Sam Blackman who starts his two-game suspension after picking up ten yellow cards.

Stimson will be able to call upon three of his new signings though after Ellis Ashworth, Josh Tobin and Taner Dogen joined the club ahead of Christmas day.

OPPONENTS SEASON SO FAR

After making the play-offs last season, Cray have struggled in this campaign so far, sitting one place above the relegation spots in 18th with 19 points. From their first five games the Wands picked up zero points. They bounced back to win 1-5 away at 2nd place Chatham Town and 2-1 against Cheshunt before losing 3-0 to Kingstonian. Their next three games were a win against Concord, a loss against Hornchurch, and a draw against Potters Bar. After their next loss to Canvey Island, Cray Wanderers went undefeated from their next five games with two wins and two draws. In their last match they fell to a defeat away to Hashtag United, which saw their main centre back, Tom Bonner, get sent off and will miss our game with them.

Wanderers in the home form table are 19th with two wins, three draws and three losses, whilst The ‘Gate are 20th in the away form table with one win, two draws and six losses.

LAST FIVE: CRAY WANDERERS

Loss vs Weston-Super-Mare, away (4-1) Izuzu FA Trophy 2nd Round

Draw vs Dulwich Hamlet, home (1-1) League

Draw vs Whitehawk, home (2-2) League

Draw vs Haringey Borough, home (3-3) League

Loss vs Hashtag United, away (1-0) League

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

Draw vs Bognor Regis, away (2-2) League

Loss vs Enfield Town, away (2-0) League

Loss vs Whitehawk, away (3-1) Velocity Trophy 3rd Round

Loss vs Carshalton Athletic, home (0-1) League

Draw vs Kingstonian, home (2-2) League

You can view the full Isthmian Premier League table by clicking here.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

There have been ten matches between the Wands and the ‘Gate since Boxing Day 2012 where Cray Wanderers have won five, Margate have won five with zero draws. The last time we faced Cray at Hayes Lane was the 29th of August 2022 where we lost 1-0 in a tightly fought battle.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The referee for this Boxing Day matchup is Tolu Sangowawa, and he will be assisted by Richard Myers and Howard Collins.

Not able to make it on the road to Hayes Lane? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our match updates on our official X account @Margate_fc commencing from 12:15pm with kick-off at 1pm.

STADIUM ADDRESS

HAYES LANE

BROMLEY

BR2 9EG

Abandoned Boxing Day Result Stands

A serious head injury to Cray Wanderers player Yahaya Bamba in the closing minutes of Tuesday’s game meant the game was abandoned in the 92nd minute at Hayes Lane.

Bamba when down after colliding accidently with ‘Gate goalkeeper Harry Seaden and an ambulance was called for the safety of the player.

Everyone at Margate wishes to send their best wishes to Yahaya and we hope to hear some positive news from Cray regarding his recovery.

We have received confirmation that the 0-0 score-line at the time of abandonment stands, and therefore the league table has been updated to show this decision.