It would be nice to have a good run in the FA Trophy, says Ian Jenkins

Thursday 14th October 2010

CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins says his side must take advantage of home advantage when Wingate & Finchley visit Hayes Lane in the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wands’ marvellous seven league match unbeaten run came to a disappointing end as Darren Smith’s late goal helped struggling Folkestone Invicta climb out of the relegation zone last weekend, but goals from French striker Laurent Hamici (his 12th of the season) and central defender John Guest knocked Whyteleafe out of the Championship Manager Cup on Tuesday night.

“That was the worst that we’ve played, last week against Folkestone, all season,” bemoaned Jenkins, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We can’t afford to be playing like that on Saturday. But we had a good come back Tuesday night. I made a few changes and the ones that came in done well. It was nice and positive with a clean sheet.”

Wingate & Finchley arrive in Kent sitting in sixth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, with a record of five wins and two draws from ten league games.

The Wands, who play one league higher, sit in tenth place in the Ryman Premier League, with four wins and three draws from the same number of games.

A reflective Jenkins said: “I think we’ve done well, apart from the Folkestone game. The games that we have lost before that we’ve been in and could have got something out of them. Looking at the points total we could have been five or six points better than that, but I’m pleased with it.”

Looking ahead to his side’s first FA Trophy tie of the season, Jenkins said: “I’ve had them watched and they’re a decent footballing side. It’s going to be tough!

“We want to have a good run, as it’s money coming into the club. It would be nice to have a good run in the FA Trophy as it keeps the club buzzing. If you have a good run there’s a bit of banter about the FA Trophy and the FA Cup, there’s a bit of fun about it. It would be nice to have a good run in it.”

The long serving Cray Wanderers stalwart wants his side to shine in front of the Hayes Lane faithful.

“I think we’ve lost one (league game) on the road this year so our home record is worse than our away record, but I don’t mind where we play.”

But if they have to travel to north London next week to finish off the job then Jenkins won’t mind, adding,

“Wingate & Finchley is a lovely place over there so I won’t mind going there but you always want to take advantage of home advantage but it doesn’t always work like it.”

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

Cray Wanderers v Wingate & Finchley

FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round

Saturday 16th October 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF