We want our lottery numbers to come up, says title chasing Francis

CRAY WANDERERS battled against the elements to leapfrog over long-time leaders Kingstonian last night - and Joe Francis knows his side must maintain their standards to stay there, writes Stephen McCartney.

Lewis Wood’s fifth goal in as many games, since his return to the club, proved decisive as Walton & Hersham were beaten at Stompond Lane - and the Wands went three points clear at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table.

Assistant boss Francis, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, admitted it felt good to climb to the summit - at the fourth time of asking.

“Not the best game of football you’ve ever been to, but you look for indicators,” he said.

“If we win there on a night like that - we can win anywhere!  It was shocking weather, both sides did very well to make a game of it and the goal was very fortunate. I thought Walton & Hersham were very good with their new manager.”

With the rain lashing down, and a ferocious wind ruining the game, the first half was something to be forgotten, easily the worst 45 minutes of football seen this season.

However, former Bromley manager Simon Osborn set up the only goal after 54 minutes. Leigh Bremner held the ball up, laid off Osborn who hoofed a long ball up field, which was poorly headed behind by a defender, into the path of the diminutive Lewis Wood, who fired through the gap between the keeper’s hands.

“And Lewis would be the first to admit it was a fortunate goal,” said Francis. “But as I said to him after the game if you don’t buy a ticket for the lottery you have no chance of winning it.

“We were over the moon we left there with the three points.”

Francis praised Osborn and says a lot is expected from the experienced player in the run-in.

“Simon was different class last night,” said Francis. “He’s experienced, and his quality, even in hurricane conditions, he seemed to settle the side and he will be integral to our end of season campaign.”

When asked why Osborn has signed for the club, having previously been player-manager at landlords Bromley, Francis replied, “I just think Simon was looking to play, that’s all. He’s a very experienced player and his influence will be gratefully appreciated by the other players.

“He’s a very good footballer and I think Simon, by his own admission, will be very, very positive in his approach for what he does for us.”

However, now that they are top of the table, the hardest part is staying there in their last remaining ten games.

“We have just got to maintain what we’re doing really,” said Francis. “I would imagine every club in the top six would feel that they have a chance of winning the league.”

So, did last night’s win at Walton & Hersham put more pressure on second placed Kingstonian, who now have three games in hand over the Kent side.

“Having been in the position where you have games in hands in previous season’s, we are in the fortunate position where we’ve got the points already and I know how Alan (Dowson) at Kingstonian will feel,” said Francis.

“They’ve got a good as a chance as us - and Andy Sinton over at Fleet will have a good as a chance as us, Jim Cooper at Met Police, Alan Pook at Worthing and Gary Abbott at Sittingbourne.

“It’s very exciting and I think it’s great for the league.”

Francis revealed there was plenty of professionalism at the final whistle last night, as attention now turns to Saturday’s trip to play Neil Cugley’s Folkestone Invicta.

“I think the players are very focused and they realised that our early season form has put us in a position where we need to consider every single ninety minutes we play,” explained Francis.

“They realise the importance of the win but also very quickly as a collective we focus on Saturday and what we’re going to plan to get a result on Saturday.

“I’ve known Neil for a long, long time and Neil’s got a premier division pedigree as a manager.

“He’s experienced, he’s one of the game’s good fella’s, and we’re expecting a really tough game.”

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

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

Folkestone Invicta v Cray Wanderers
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 7^th March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU