Everybody wants to beat us now, says Francis

CRAY WANDERERS’ assistant manager Joe Francis admitted lowly Chipstead gave his side a scare at Hayes Lane last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wands stretched their run to eight successive wins, but it took a Mark Willy header from a corner to grab a 1-0 victory, which keeps them six points clear at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table.

“It was a very, very tough game,” Francis admitted, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  tonight. “Respect to Chipstead, they played really well, very bright, worked hard, committed, motivated, they played very well and we were fortunate to come in at half time level.”

Wise words from Francis and boss Ian Jenkins and a tactical change, moving Jamie Wood out wide, had the desired effect.

“We just thought we were a little bit nervous,” said Francis. “We needed to up our work rate because Chipstead are fighting for their lives in the division and it looked like they wanted it more than us.”

Revealing what the pair said to the players at the interval, Francis said, “We made a tactical change, we had Jamie Wood playing in the hole and we put him out wide just to give us better balance - and I thought he influenced the game.

“It allowed us to pass the ball a little bit better and I thought second half we looked the stronger side, without dominating at all.

“We restricted them to one chance early in the second half and after that we controlled the second half. They played ever so well Chipstead, they gave us a real game.”

Francis admitted the Wands are now the side to beat, and that they must continue their winning run as the winning line is now in sight.

“Everyone wants to beat us now,” said Francis. “It’s alright getting to the top, you have to stay there, and all the players realise that.

“Everybody’s galvanised, everybody’s motivated and sometimes the biggest thing you have to manage as a player is that nervous tension when you’re trying to get your noses in front.

“We said the season has entered a new phase, we’re not trying to play catch up, we’re trying to stay in front and it’s a different mentality.”

Whyteleafe, a side unbeaten in their last three games, although they haven’t won any of their last eight, arrive at Hayes Lane on Saturday sitting in the bottom five.

Francis acknowledges that this will be another tough game.

“It’s going to be very similar to last night and the boys know that,” he said. “Last night was our first game against a side not in and around us and not competing to either be in the play-off’s or going for the title.

“We expect the same and we said to the boys we have to come with a focused attitude. Belief that we can still pass the ball and match them physically, which you have to do every game.”

Despite being withdrawn due to an ankle injury scare last night, Francis revealed striker Leigh Bremner is expected to be fit for the Hayes Lane clash.

“He was outstanding last night,” beamed Francis. “I don’t know any other centre forward in this league who works as hard as Leigh.

“He’s so committed and we he Leigh three years ago, four years ago when we were first in the play-off’s in our first season (in the Ryman League) and it’s like looking at the looking glass.

“He really wants to succeed this year and his performances have been outstanding. He’s a great foil for anybody who plays with him. I think he’s a great model for any non-league centre forward at our level.”

Francis was also quick to praise Willy, a central defensive rock, adding, “We said at half-time it might need a set piece tonight and we got the delivery night. There’s no one better in this league for attacking the ball than Mark Willy and we were very pleased to be in front.”

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.craywands.co.uk

Cray Wanderers v Whyteleafe
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 21^st March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF