Cray Wanderers 1-0 Lewes - I'm pleased for those boys for the effort over the two games and now we can look forward to the dangling carrot of Maidstone United in the next round of The FA Cup, says Cray Wanderers boss Tim O'Shea

Cray Wanderers 1 – 0 Lewes
Location	Flamingo Park, Sidcup-by-pass, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6HL
Kickoff	08/09/2026 19:45

CRAY WANDERERS  1-0  LEWES
The Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 8 September 2026
Stephen McCartney reports from Flamingo Park

CRAY WANDERERS manager Tim O’Shea says he was pleased with his players’ effort across their two ties with Lewes that earned the club a lucrative home tie against Maidstone United in The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.

 

Lewes manager Craig Nelson made five changes to his side that found themselves 2-0 down in the 90^th minute at The Dripping Pan at the weekend, before two stoppage time goals from super-sub, 36-year-old striker Charlie Walker gave them a second bite of the cherry in front of a sparse Flamingo Park tonight.

However, Alex Hernandez – who plays behind the front two – headed in his fourth goal of the season to set up a Kent derby against current Enterprise National League South leaders Maidstone United on Saturday 19 September.

“I think the good part about tonight was that we ended up getting a job done as such because we put on a very good performance on Saturday, which I think got to the 92^nd minute and you’re probably in control of the game and then concede two inside three minutes to come tonight, obviously tired legs and one thing and the other,” said O’Shea, who managed Lewes in the 2010-11 season.

“I think over the two games, although fair play to them, second half for the last 25 minutes at least, they were looking very, very dangerous and our rear-guard, they held on very well, plus the 17-year-old young keeper.

“Lewes are a good side, they’re a good footballing side.  Pitts (Nelson) has got them playing a decent brand of football.  Unless you’re sort of really disciplined and sort of keep a shape and also back yourselves one-v-one because ultimately that’s because you’re going one-v-one with them but they play a lovely brand of football. They always have done Lewes, do you know what I mean? I think they’ll certainly win a lot more games than what they lose.

“It was an old club of mine, albeit short but it was a club I really enjoyed that short period I was down there. There’s some great people down there, a lovely part of the world as well.

“It was just nice to get through, especially with that carrot sort of dangling that you’ve got Maidstone at home, be it for them, or be it for us. Obviously it’s more of a local derby for us and one to look forward to.”

O’Shea and Nelson both produced eye-catching brand of playing football the way it should be played – on the deck, fast-paced and not a single long throw in sight.

Both sides played the opening 20 minutes at a frenetic pace, as both sides cancelled each other out, playing copy-cat formations with three centre-halves, two wing-backs, two holding midfielders and three men up front.

O’Shea handed seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Oscar Johnson his first start due to Henry Molyneux serving a one-match ban, while centre-half Robert Strachan, 25, scooped the man-of-the-match award for his excellent performance and handling Isthmian League Premier Division quality players, having been plucked out of the ninth-tier at Erith & Belvedere in the summer.

Lewes arrived here in third-place in the seventh-tier Isthmian League Premier Division table, having picked up 13 points (four wins, one draw and one defeat), while the Wands were in thirteenth-place in the table with eight points (two wins, two draws and one defeat).

The Wands created the game’s first chance of the game with 17 minutes and 17 seconds on the clock, with their three attackers linking up in the final third.

Hernandez played the ball along the artificial pitch – benefiting from today’s rain – into striker Soul Kader, who played in his strike partner Ade Yusuff, who dragged his right-footed shot across the keeper and tricking past the far post from 12-yards on the angle.

“Considering both sets of players have probably only done it on Saturday as well, as a spectacle it was a good brand of football from both sides,” said O’Shea.

“We played some nice passages first half. Lewes’ give and go’s, they trust one another. They play it in, they follow and they can cause you problems but I was pleased with some of the stuff we played tonight as well.

“It was a good chance and he probably had an even better one in the second half, not long after our goal. We won the ball high up and he was pretty much through on his own and got forced wide and ended up a bit of a block on.”

Lewes were a threat down the left-hand side during the course of the game, where Cray Wanderers’ right-wing-back Tobi Tinibu better going forward with his pace than defending.

Walker (who often dropped deep) linked up with holding midfielder Andrew Brighgs before left-wing-back Noel Fisher cut onto his right-foot and his 20-yard drive was comfortably caught in Johnson’s midriff (20:21).

O’Shea added: “I think for a young keeper that settles you a bit, doesn’t it?  Whether it takes a deflection and the sting out of it and it just rolls into your hands safely. I think that just builds your confidence.

“You’ve got to give credit to the boys’ in front of them, who worked tirelessly to try to keep as many shots down as possible.”

Strachan launched a long ball from inside the Cray Wanderers half towards the edge of the Lewes box where Kader and Yusuff linked up before a reverse pass found the run of Frankie Raymond but the holding midfielder drilled his left-footed angled drive over the top of the near-post from a tight angle.

Cray Wanderers’ right-wing-back Olajuwon Ogunwamide turned his marker inside the Lewes half before cutting into the D before drilling his left-footed shot screaming across the keeper and past the far post, as Cray Wanderers created the openings during this FA Cup Replay.

Cray Wanderers were to be denied a deserved lead with 28 minutes and 50 seconds on the clock, as visiting goalkeeper Louis Rogers used his legs to make a big save.

Yusuff swept the ball out to Ogunwamide out on the right wing and his pace got him to the by-line before he cut the ball back towards Yusuff, who prodded the ball inside to Tinibu, whose first time shot at the back post was hit straight at Rogers who made the block.

“That was a good bit of play wasn’t it?” said O’Shea.

“Ola, listen, on his day when he’s on it, he’s probably one of the best at it in the league at this level, without a doubt.  Fair play to the keeper, he’s made a great sharp save with his legs.”

Lewes played some pretty football during the course of the game.  Briggs floated in a right-footed free-kick from the left and Walker’s only chance saw him knock the ball down with his head under pressure, which bounced into Johnson’s gloves for a routine pick-up.

Lewes’ best chance of the half came through some more direct play when no one in an amber shirt pressed Lewes centre-half Olly Hamstead, who travelled over the half-way line. 

Cray Wanderers’ central centre-half Frankie Morgan then decided to press but was chasing shadows as Hamstead slipped the ball through to right-sided centre-half Ben Mundele, who cut onto his left-foot and drilled a low 25-yard drive towards the bottom right-hand corner, which forced Johnson into making a fine save, diving low to his left and using his left-hand to safely grab hold of the ball.

Johnson made his Cray Wanderers debut during the 4-1 home win over Welling United, when he came on in the 73^rd minute after Molyneux was sent off for two yellow cards.  The Wands stunned Ryan Maxwell’s side in front of 1,528 fans on 31 August and O’Shea was quick to praise Johnson for his nerve after maintaining his second career clean sheet.

“He’s done brilliant because a lot of it is about nerve. For a seventeen-year-old to come in, he’s held his nerve.

“He did it against Welling, when he was called upon unexpectedly. We were fortunate to have a goalkeeper on the bench that day and he came on with probably 250 Welling supporters behind him and he held his nerve, so he’s certainly got that side of him.

“He’s got a real strong mentality, he’s fearless and he’s done well. Great save first half down to his left. He’s going to remember this night for a long time!”

O’Shea admitted he motivated his players to get over the line with the win, knowing that Maidstone United will be coming on Saturday week.

“We just said to them, look, at the end of the day, just keep going, keep pushing, get every last drop out of yourselves, like fitness wise and just keep trying to smash through that door.

“I think the fact we felt that we could’ve got the job done Saturday and we never, whether that kept us going to try to get that job complete, but it was immense.

“I mean, who wouldn’t want to play in front of a possible, maybe 1,500-2,000 crowd?  It funds towards the club. I know the gate receipts are shared, it was a carrot that was dangled without a doubt.”

Cray Wanderers did smash through the door, scoring the winning goal with only 70 seconds on the clock, following their first of seven corners.

Raymond usually takes them but Ogunwamide went off-the-cuff and took the right-wing corner instead and played it short to Raymond, who played the ball back to Ogunwamide, who delivered the ball into a crowded middle and Hernandez glanced his downward header into the left-hand corner.

“Yes, he arrives well don’t he, Alex. As I said to you, he gets all sorts of goals. He can hit free-kicks from 30-yards. He ghosts in, he’s a good finisher, a quality finisher and I’m pleased for him because he just gives you everything, every game,” said O’Shea.

“You forget, he’s only 23, just, so he’s still a young boy learning his trade but what he does give you is guts.”

Another Ogunwamide cross gave Kader a chance to double the home side’s lead (4:11) but the 21-year-old cut onto his right-foot and cracked a rasping drive towards the roof of the net from 20-yards, which was palmed over by Rogers with his arm raised above his head.

“It was destined, I think it was going in. I know it was quite central where he ended up hitting the shot but the goalkeeper sort of done well,” added O’Shea.

“He done well second half as well. I thought Soul had to work really hard, especially with another young guy, 17-year-old (Abdul Cole) going on up top.  Soul’s only young himself but then he has to become that leader of the line and he’s done us proud tonight.”

Hamstead was allowed to travel over the halfway line on the hour mark and played the ball towards the corner of the penalty area where wing-back Tyler Cox linked up well with Gondoh, before Fisher cut onto his right-foot and bent his shot around the keeper and past the far post from outside the penalty area.

Cox, who had switched flanks, was a constant threat for Lewes down the left and was able to do what he liked in the left-channel as Tinibu was the home side’s weak link in an otherwise resilient defensive shape.

O’Shea said: “Well, you know you’re throwing everything at it, they almost went to a front five when Newson came on,  When you looked at it when the goalkeeper had the ball, they did at times, they had six up front, so the boys had to be disciplined and they back themselves man-for-man but listen I think that’s going to happen isn’t it.

“The same thing happened on Saturday, when you’re one down or two down, they threw everything at it and fair play to them.”

Lewes were in control of the game by the time the crossbar denied them scoring a deserved equaliser with 17:50 on the clock, with an excellent move.

Fisher played the ball along the deck into Gondoh, whose first time flick saw him play the ball in behind Tinibu and Cox cut the ball onto his right-foot within the left channel and put in a great cross towards the near-post where Gondoh’s first time shot cracked the underside of the crossbar from 12-yards.

The ball came out to giant central midfielder Tyrese Owen, who dragged his shot across Johnson and past the far post from the other side of the penalty area.

“That was one particular moment for them and yes Gondoh, I mean he’s maturing like a fine wine isn’t he? He does that ever so well, came in, a great strike, so yes, maybe we were fortunate, you make your own luck,” admitted O’Shea.

Nelson threw on former Wand Danny Bassett (substitute right-winger) and he missed a glorious chance to restore parity (32:48).

Jack Enkh (who plays on the left of Lewes’ three centre-halves) played the ball out to Cox, who whipped in a cross from the left channel and the ball flashed across the face of goal and Bassett took a touch before swiftly lashing his left-footed shot high over the crossbar when well placed.

“Danny Bassett had one far post, ex Cray, and I thought that was going to end up nestled in the back of our own net but for us, you do need a bit of luck along with the effort that’s been made,” came O’Shea’s reply to his side’s let-off.

Cray Wanderers were hanging on and Yusuff pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring tweak and O’Shea threw on 17-year-old striker Abdul Cole, one of four second-string players on the bench.

O’Shea brought on Mitchell Chapman in the middle of the park and he had a couple of chances for the home side inside the final five minutes.

Cox was one of six players to be booked for Lewes by referee Toby Carlisle, which will bring a fine from The Football Association, for a lunge on Tinibu, who burst down the right and got the home side up the pitch, as they were hanging on for far too long during the second half.

Raymond’s free-kicks are always on the money and this one was knocked down by Kader inside the box and fell to Chapman, who hooked over.

But Lewes were always a threat and substitute striker Brian Garzon had a glorious chance to level with the last kick of the game but Johnson grabbed hold of the blocked shot beside his post as Lewes got in behind down the sides again, this time through Bassett down the right.

O’Shea was full of praise for Strachan for his outstanding performance at the heart of his back three.

“I’m chuffed to bits. He’s another one, he’s 25, not old, still learning and he gives you everything,” said O’Shea.

“I think he had a bad injury when he was one of the most sought-after centre-halves when he was at Millwall. He was also playing for England. Unfortunately, he had a bit of a nasty ACL injury that set him back.

“I think in his own admittance he played down with all due respect to Erith & Belvedere. I think he played for the love of it and I think the timing was right. He needed a challenge. He wanted to test himself and he’s rising to it. He’s a leader, trains well, good around the place, a lovely man.”

Reflecting on the win and clean-sheet, O’Shea added: “I’m pleased, 100 per cent.  I’m pleased for those boys in there for the effort over the two games and I’m especially pleased for young Oscar tonight because that’s going to live long in his memory, I think, for a long time. I’m pleased for all that’s in that changing room.

“I just think the main thing was the result, that’s pleased me for everybody involved, especially that changing room because I think to go to Lewes and actually, fair play to their coaches, we went there and we pretty much dominated the game. We had a great shape about us and you’re probably thinking ‘who are we going to draw in the next round at 92 minutes and 2-0 up.

“You’re thinking ‘oh let’s hope we get a nice tie,’ so I’m pleased. The result is what’s pleased me really more than anything.”

The Stones are three points clear at the top of the sixth-tier National League South following their 1-0 win at bitter-rivals Tonbridge Angels this evening.

“Hopefully we get a big backing, big support on the day and they’ll obviously come down in their droves, so it will be nice to see Flamingo Park see if we can get over 2,000 this time,” added O’Shea.

But before that tasty Kent derby, Cray Wanderers play two Isthmian League Premier Division games, away to Enfield Town on Saturday and at home to St Albans City on Tuesday 15 September.

Enfield Town are at the summit with 15 points (five wins and one defeat) and have won their last four games.

“Tough one, another tough one, it’s another tough one,” admitted O’Shea, who closed his eyes and went through his injury list.

“After tonight, we’re going to have another look to see what bodies we’ve got. We’ve got a small squad, so we’ll have a nice easy session on Thursday, do a head count and see where we’re at and patch them up and go out there.

“But listen, on our day, there’s a belief in the changing room and we’ll go to Enfield as we approach most games and that will be to try to win first and foremost, win every game and if it happens, great but it’s going to be a tough one Steve. They’re there for a reason, aren’t they?

“We’ll at the moment, I don’t know whether it’s a hamstring tweak or whether it’s just fatigue with Ade Yusuff.

“We’ve got Shae Hutchinson with a fractured metatarsal. He’s still out for another two or three weeks.  We’ve got Lateef Adaja, he’s out with a bit of a chest strain. Quade Taylor’s out, hamstring. Bayli Spencer-Adams, he’s popped his thigh.

“It’s been tough. We’ve probably got 16 as a squad and that’s probably down to 12-13 now and that’s bringing in our talented youngsters as well.”

The Wands finished in seventh-place last season and O’Shea is plotting another play-off push this season too.

“I think keep improving, keep improving. Keep improving our level of performances because the level of the League is going up, so I think if you don’t improve your level of performances, you probably get left behind.

“We’ll see where it goes. Obviously, those two extra spaces now, from one-to-seven. Well, one goes up, and from two to seven there’s play-off places, so if we finish in the top half, we’ve got every chance of getting in there.

“But I’m sure there’s probably another 10 sides maybe more, there’s not many in that league who won’t be looking at that play-off spot and giving it a right go.”

O’Shea praised long-serving and legendary chairman Gary Hillman for his efforts in transforming Flamingo Park.

“The two guys are great, don’t forget we’ve got Michael Paye as well. They’re investing in well but what they’re investing in is the infrastructure around it.

“You’ve got to admire that because at the end of the day this club is self-sufficient at this point and just look around Steve.

“Four padel courts.  You’ve got one of the biggest European car-charging companies, who are our main sponsor, being built over there, that’s due to open soon. They’re talking about a stand going in behind the goal. It’s all things like that that they’re investing in and hopefully that gets the crowd in and gets people around the place. They’re doing it the right way.”

Meanwhile, at the end of his 16:39 post-match interview, O’Shea joked that his side ‘never win’ when this website covers their games.  I promised to check the spreadsheet and prove him wrong. Just don’t play home games on a Friday night, it seems!

Cray Wanderers’ match coverage with Tim O’Shea as manager:

Tuesday 12 August 2025: Cray Wanderers 1-1 Folkestone Invicta

Tuesday 2 September 2025: Hanwell Town 1-0 Cray Wanderers – FA Cup First Qualifying Round Replay

Tuesday 30 September 2025: Cray Wanderers 4-2 Dulwich Hamlet

Friday 12 December 2025: Cray Wanderers 1-2 Whitehawk

Friday 9 January 2026: Cray Wanderers 0-3 Aveley

Tuesday 8 September 2026:  Cray Wanderers 1-0 Lewes – FA Cup First Qualifying Round Replay

Isthmian League Premier Division games unless stated

Cray Wanderers: Oscar Johnson, Tobi Tinibu, Olajuwon Ogunwamide, Robert Strachan, Crossley Lema, Frankie Morgan, Sammie McLeod (Mitchell Chapman 82), Frankie Raymond, Soul Kader, Ade Yusuff (Abdul Cole 75), Alex Hernandez (Alfie Payne 71).
Subs: Leteef Adaja, Kane Atkins, Billy Wall, Kian Eyers

Goal: Alex Hernandez 47

Booked: Soul Kader 55, Oscar Johnson 90, Tim O’Shea 90 (manager), Abdul Cole 90

Lewes: Louis Rogers, Tyler Cole, Bobby Unwin (Danny Bassett 71), Olly Hamstead, Ben Mundele (Parish Muirhead 90), Jack Enkh, Noel Fisher (Brian Garzon 87), Andrew Briggs, Charlie Walker (Calum Newson 71), Tyrese Owen, Ryan Gondoh.
Subs: Mackenzie Richardson, Gio Clarke, Tyler Christian-Law

Booked: Ryan Gondoh 27, Andrew Briggs 48, Charlie Walker 58, Tyrese Owen 68, Tyler Cox 85, Ben Mundele 95

Attendance: 174
Referee: Mr Toby Carlisle
Assistants: Mr Christopher Bowdery & Mr Promise Phillips

Match Duration:
First Half: 46:07
Second Half: 52:28