Wood bids farewell to Cray Wanderers

LEWIS WOOD made the decision to leave Cray Wanderers yesterday, after being relegated to the bench for the Kent Senior Cup Final against Ebbsfleet United, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 26-year-old, New Eltham based striker, feels now is the time to leave Hayes Lane to find himself a new club, which will offer him football every week.

The younger Wood brother has decided to leave as he was frustrated with the lack of opportunities in his preferred striking position.

Cray Wanderers were short of numbers for yesterday’s Kent Senior Cup Final against full-time Blue Square Premier opponents Ebbsfleet United and went on to lose 4-0 to Liam Daish’s men.

With at least seven players missing, manager Ian Jenkins opted for a forward pairing of Shawn Beveney and Tommy Whitnell.

Wood, meanwhile, joined Jenkins on the bench, and although Matt Lee, Danny Chapman and Jamie Kempster were named as substitutes, the trio weren’t risked because of injury.

The Wands, however, held out until the 35^th minute when Luke Moore gave the Fleet the lead, capitalising on a mistake from second choice goalkeeper Grant Hall, following Ricky Shakes’ cross from the right.

But as soon as midfielder Stacy Long curled a low shot into the far corner after 72 minutes, Cray Wanderers wilted in the Hayes Lane heat.

The FA Trophy winners went on to score two more goals inside the last ten minutes, through Moore and substitute George Purcell.

Wood now feels this is the time to look for pastures new, after the disappointment of not featuring in the match, despite insisting he was fit enough to play.

“I’ve just been up and down for a while, I’ve had enough,” Wood told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“He’s (Jenkins) been playing me in four or five positions and all I want to do is play upfront.

“I don’t think I’ve been given a fair crack at Cray. I haven’t been enjoying pre-season and we had a (discussion) during the Cup Final.

“We had four or five players, he’s signed this season, that he’s played in front of me.

“I’ve been there for three years and he’s played them in front of me, and I got the hump.”

Wood claims he hasn’t left the club on bad terms but now begins the search for a new club, but admits time is running out.

“We haven’t left on bad terms, Ian’s my uncle, but I don’t want to leave on bad terms,” he said.

“Now is my chance to find somewhere else to play, so I can enjoy my football again.

“I’ve got a couple of mates in Kent League teams, so I might ring them up and see what they’re saying.

“I’ve played in the Kent League (before) with Beckenham and Thamesmead, so I know what the Kent League’s all about.”

Subject to finances, Cray Wanderers want to sign former Dulwich Hamlet and Kingstonian striker Beveney, who is also interesting Blue Square Premier newcomers Lewes.

But Wood felt he should have started yesterday’s Cup Final, “as I played in all the rounds with the boys.”

He added: “I was fit. I was massively peed off and Ian probably knew that but my head went a bit when he told me I was on the bench, during the warm-up, I was gutted.

“I’m gutted to leave Cray as I’ve got the utmost respect for Jenko and (assistant manager) Joe Francis, but I just want to play football week in, week out, and look forward to my next challenge.”

Lewis, who is four years younger than his brother Jamie, is sorry to be leaving the club, especially with the plans for a new ground.

He said: “I hope Cray get promoted and hope they do better next year. The club’s going places with a new ground in four or five years and it will get more fans if they get promoted.

“It’s just going to be hard work finding a new club as the season starts in two weeks.”

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