Key trio return for top-of-the-table showdown

CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins returns from his five-match touchline ban for the top-of-the-table showdown against Kingstonian on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Jenkins predicts a crowd of 500 will turn up at Hayes Lane, Bromley, to watch this Christmas cracker.

And he will be boosted with the return off former K’s double FA Trophy Wembley winner Colin Luckett, Jamie Wood and Danny Chapman, who all missed their surprise 2-1 defeat at Godalming Town at the weekend.

Luckett (family issues); Wood (attending a wedding) and Chapman (broken wrist), have all declared their availability for the big game - as has striker Shawn Beveney, who returns from a medial ligament injury.

Kingstonian aren’t having the best of times against Kent sides in recent weeks as both Ashford Town (3-2) and Sittingbourne (2-1) have won at Kingsmeadow in the last three weeks.

And it would be fair to say that Alan Dowson’s side have desperately missed left-sided midfielder Dean Lodge since his move to Blue Square Premier side Northwich Victoria, who are managed by former Lewes boss Steve King.

This is the best time to play Kingstonian, who are only one point clear of the Wands and victory for the Kent side will take them to the Ryman League Division One South summit going into the New Year.

“No, I don’t fear them,” Jenkins told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, whilst at work on Christmas Eve. “There’s a lot of stake for us as we can go top on Saturday. It’s massive, massive, a great time to have it as well, Christmas time.”

Jenkins admitted his side haven’t played well in their last two games, as they followed up from their disappointing home performance against Sittingbourne - escaping with a point in a lucky 1-1 draw at Hayes Lane - at Godalming Town at the weekend.

“We probably followed on from the Sittingbourne game,” he said. “It wasn’t a good performance. Godalming are a much improved side, a decent side.

“It seems like we haven’t played particularly well for our last two games. I think the pitches haven’t helped the way we play, but again, we’ve set our stall out to play a particular way, but it doesn’t seem to be working at the moment.

“On Saturday we had key players out, Colin Luckett, Jamie Wood and Danny Chapman were all out and they’ll be returning on Saturday, they will be starting.

“They are big players for us and when you do miss them it does notice.”

With plenty of mouth-watering Kent derbies taking place on Saturday, Jenkins urges as many floating fans to watch his game instead.

“We still have to do the job on Saturday,” said the long-serving boss. “It should be a decent game, two decent sides wanting to play football.

“Hopefully it will be a good game for the fans who turn up and watch.

“If we were both mid-table it would have been a mediocre game, as it’s top versus second, it makes the game big.

“They’ve got two games in hand so if we do lose the game we fall behind. I’m not saying it’s a must win but we want to win the game.

“I’d love over 500 (fans to watch the game). It would be great to have that crowd over there. If people see it, it will be top versus second, it would be good to have a few cheering us on.

Jenkins, however, admitted he has been disappointed that 26-year-old striker Beveney hasn’t shown the form in the Ryman League Division One South that he does on a regular basis playing for Guyana.

“He trained last night with us. He’s potential is there and we’ve missed that more than anything, but he hasn’t shown what he can do,” said a frustrated Jenkins.

“The game’s coming up are big games so it will be nice to get him back in the fold.”

Jenkins knows his experienced campaigners like Luckett, Chapman and Tony Dolby will look after themselves during the festive period and hopes his younger stars will not spend too much time on the lash.

“We’ve got players who have played at that level, I’m sure they won’t abuse their bodies as much,” said Jenkins. “I want all of my players to look after themselves and don’t get drunk. Hopefully they will turn up Saturday ready to go.”

But Jenkins is pleased to be back alongside Joe Francis and Paul Blade in the technical area and believes that will help his side climb to the top of the table after 23 games.

“I think the part of the slump we’ve been on is not being around the players so hopefully things will pick up on Saturday,” said Jenkins.

“You see a lot more (from the stand), but I’d rather be in amongst the players on the bench with Joe and Blado and the players can hear my voice.”

Jenkins, who revealed his budget has been cut once during the current campaign, and that he can only bring in players if he shows others the door, insisted leading the club into the Ryman Premier League for the very first time is still his aim for the New Year.

“Promotion, I take that, no matter how we get it. If it’s the play-off’s I take that - it’s quite tight at the top,” he added.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Cray Wanderers v Kingstonian
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 27^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF