If the boys keep doing what they’re doing in terms of the energy and the effort that they’re putting in, married with a little bit of quality, then I think we’ll be alright, says Cray Wanderers interim manager Grant Basey

CRAY WANDERERS interim manager Grant Basey says he thinks his side will be alright when it comes to avoiding relegation from the Isthmian League Premier Division this season.

The Wands went down to their thirteenth league defeat in 22 league games on Wednesday night, losing 1-0 to Bognor Regis Town at Hayes Lane.

Midfielder Anthony Cook – with 99 career goals to his name – slotted in as emergency centre-back due to a shortage of players in that position.

Jack Pearce’s side claimed the three points courtesy of Portsmouth loanee Daniel Gifford, 17, scoring the only goal of the game on the hour-mark.

Cray Wanderers remain in the bottom three in the table with 19 points, two points clear of East Thurrock United and seven clear of bottom side Leatherhead.

Basey’s fourth game in interim charge since replacing Danny Kedwell, who was in charge for 24 games, is for the visit of Corinthan-Casuals tomorrow.

“It’s another big game for us.  Every single game that we play between now and the end is massive so we’ll prepare the right way,” said the 33-year-old, who is running the team alongside former Greenwich Borough, Ashford United and Glebe manager Gary Alexander.

“We’ll respect them, if the boys keep doing what they’re doing in terms of the energy and the effort that they’re putting in, married with a little bit of quality, then I think we’ll be alright.”

After the visit from eleventh-placed Corinthian-Casuals, The Wands welcome Leatherhead to Hayes Lane next Wednesday for a relegation six-pointer and Carshalton Athletic three days later.

“It’s a good little block of games where we’re at home.  Before playing Bognor Regis I said I wanted 12 points out of these games and it hasn’t happened, we lost on Wednesday night and we’ll try to win the next three.

“We go into every game trying to win every single game while I’m in charge. We’ll never look to try to see out a draw home or away. We’ll go into every single game trying to win a game of football.”

When asked how long he believes he will be in charge for, Basey replied: “At the moment it’s just on an ongoing basis and there’s nothing more to add to that at the moment.

“I have real belief in the lads that we will get out of the trouble that we’re in at the moment but we are where we are for a reason.  The league table doesn’t lie so it’s up to us to try to improve the group, to try to help them and if they continue to give me everything that they’ve got, like they have been, then I can ask no more.”

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website:  www.cray-wanderers.com

Cray Wanderers  v  Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 15 January 2022
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF