Beating Whitstable remains our top priority, says Jenkins

Monday 18th January 2010

CRAY WANDERERS boss Ian Jenkins says he has no other option than to treat tomorrow night’s Kent Senior Cup tie against Whitstable Town seriously, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wands suffered a horrific 5-1 defeat at Canvey Island at the weekend and remain inside the Ryman Premier League drop zone.

“We could have been in front in the first half but we conceded right on stoppage time, which was a bit of a blow,” Jenkins told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We didn’t really recover from that to be honest with you.

“Second goal was a bit of a mistake, the rest of the goals was like we were pushing on to try and get back into the game and we got hit on the break a few times. It happens. Two late goals as well. It was one of those things, their finishing was a lot high quality than ours.”

One plus point was bringing in former Erith Town prolific goalscorer Marcus Cassius in on a 28-day loan period from landlords Bromley.

“I spoke to Jerry (Dolke) at Bromley and he was up for grabs for a month,” said Jenkins. “We just need to freshen things up a little bit.

“He’s a proven goalscorer with a lot of pace about him. He came in, done quite well on Saturday. Obviously we lost the game. He scored a goal, it’s the first start he’s had for a long time so he looked a bit unfit towards the end. He will do alright for us for the next four or five games.”

The Cray Wanderers boss does not want to suffer relegation in their first season at this level - and in the club’s 150th anniversary year.

Knocking Ryman League Division One South strugglers Whitstable Town out of the Kent Senior Cup tomorrow night will surely lift confidence ahead of Saturday’s must-win home league game against Hendon.

“Top priority to be honest with you,” Jenkins said of the Kent Senior Cup tie. “We need to get a win and start a run of games for the league so we need any win in any competition. If we can get one we’ll try and get one.

“It’s got to be a win-win situation. We don’t want to be resting players and things like that. We’re not on a good run anyway. It’s one of those where we need a good performance under our belt, maybe score a few goals and take it into the next game on Saturday.”

But Jenkins’ side will leap frog over the north London side Hendon with a win at the weekend.

“We’re confident we can get out of it (relegation zone) but we need to win games that’s the bottom line,” he said.

“We’re capable off winning games. We’ve got a good squad together, we’re pulling in the same direction but we’re not getting the run of the ball at the minute. We’re not taking our chances we’re creating. I’ve said all along I’m confident we can get out of it.

“Hendon are around us and if we can get results against teams around us that will make a hell of a difference of surviving in this league.”

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

Cray Wanderers v Whitstable Town

Kent Senior Cup Second Round

Tuesday 19th January 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF