We'll be giving it all we've got and give the television cameras the upset they want but I've seen Stockport County and they're a really good side, says Cray Wanderers defender Frankie Morgan

CRAY WANDERERS left-sided defender Frankie Morgan says he is looking forward to delivering history for the part-time Isthmian League Premier Division club on Sunday.

 

The Wands host League One highflyers Stockport County at a sold-out Flamingo Park in The FA Cup First Round.

There are 111 places between 18^th placed seventh-tier Isthmian League Premier Division side Cray Wanderers and second-in-League One Stockport County and excitement is building ahead of Sunday’s showdown, which will be watched by a record crowd of 2,500, with Stockport having 500 fans at the game.

“I’m really excited. It’s a massive prospect, the game on Sunday. I’m really looking forward to go out there and test ourselves against a really good side,” said Morgan.

Morgan was part of the Sheppey United side that lost 4-1 at home to League Two side Walsall in another televised FA Cup First Round tie in November 2023.

James Bessey-Saldanha gave Ernie Batten’s Isthmian League South East Division part-timers a 21^st minute lead before Mat Sadler’s side’s quality shone through at Holm Park.

“That day, it was a bit of an unknown where I hadn’t done it before or been that far,” reflected Morgan, who played left-back on that special Friday night.

“To be able to do it again, it’s massive. Some of the boys have never done it before, so to be able to do it a second time and have the experience of doing it before, it’s one I’m really going to take on and relish that moment.”

Reflecting on that memorable night when Bedford Town were beaten on penalties in the Fourth Qualifying Round Replay to set up Cray Wanderers’ first ever appearance in The FA Cup First Round in their 166-year-history, Morgan said: “It was brilliant! I think the main thing as well, we knew exactly who we had in the next round so to have that carrot dangling in front of us and then to finally get over the line in that Bedford game, which felt like it was going on and on for ever, so to finally get over the line and know that we were going to play Stockport in the next round was a huge achievement for everyone, also for the club who have never been in this round before.

“It’s going to be massive for everyone. I’m so happy to deliver this for people who have been here for such a long time and see how much that means for them.”

Morgan has done his homework on Jimmy McNulty’s side.

“I mean, they’re going to be a really good side. My brother Albie plays at Blackpool, so they played Stockport, so I watched them when they played them a few months ago and saw how much of a good side they were then, especially against another professional outfit.

“So for them to play against us, it’s going to be really difficult for us but you never know what can happen in The FA Cup – we’re going to give it a real good go!”

The very reason the television cameras are at Flamingo Park on Sunday is they want a FA Cup First Round upset.

The Magical Wands have already beaten Lewes, Maidstone United, Chippenham Town and Bedford Town to reach this stage of the competition.

“Exactly, that’s why they’ve come down. That’s why they want to see the occasion because they want upsets and they want to really see what us part-time non-league footballers can do against a professional outfit,” said Morgan.

“We’ve got some really good players in there and you never know what can happen on the day, so we’ll be giving it all we’ve got and if that happens and we go through or if it doesn’t happen, we’re going to give it everything and see what happens.”

Cray Wanderers have several match-winners but the experience of the likes of captain Frankie Raymond (holding midfielder) and 13-goal striker Ade Yusuff will be key to help the younger players along on the club's biggest ever stage.

“You really look up to these players as well. Their experience really helps because it’s a massive occasion. It’s going to be quite overwhelming if you’ve never been in it before, so you really need to take the whole occasion in, not just the game and really relish the moment,” said Morgan.

“I’m going to prepare same as any other game. I like routine. I like making sure that I try to make everything the same, so for me not much is going to change.

“I had it before and it goes by so quick and you’re driving out of the gates and it’s over, so it’s nice to do it all over again and really try to take it all in and the occasion is really good and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Manager Tim O’Shea was fine tuning his team at Thursday night’s training session at Flamingo Park under the lights – and everyone was buzzing ahead of the big game after a day at work.

“We’ve got a good bit of momentum going so every time we step over that white line we’re really putting everything into it to make sure we’re in the team and we’re competing on all fronts so everyone’s putting in a massive shift at the moment,” said Morgan.

“Anything can happen on the day.  They’re an unbelievable team, they’ve got some great quality in there – but so do we!

“You never know. It’s a one-off game, anything can happen and we’re going to do everything we can to win the game.

“I’ve got loads of family and friends, they’re all coming down so it’s great for them to see me play.  The amount of years mum and dad put in taking me up and down the country, so it’s a really good achievement, something to pay back to them as well and everyone here watching, it’s going to be a great day.”

It’s that time of the year when we find out what our part-time Isthmian League footballers do for a living.

The 24-year-old, Rochester resident, revealed; “I’m an asset finance manager.  Today (Thursday), for example, I’ve been at work all day. I try to obviously live as close professionally as possible, when you can put it in, so you do make time for the gym sessions and training tonight, so it can be long days and seeing family and friends and stuff, so your week’s really busy.

“But you wouldn’t change it for anything because coming here and playing football is the highlight of my week, so you do anything to make it possible because it’s what we love doing.

“It’s a long old season sometimes and you get your highs and lows and the highs are really good and the lows are like, especially after a long day at work. Sometimes you think this is really difficult.

“Tuesday nights like the Bedford game and know that we’re playing in this round of The FA Cup and also that we have the prospect of doing well in the League and other cups as well, makes it all worthwhile and makes you get out of bed to do something.”

Visit Cray Wanderers website: www.cray-wanderers.com

Cray Wanderers  v  Stockport County
The Emirates FA Cup First Round
Sunday 8 November 2026
Kick Off 2:15pm
at Flamingo Park, Sidcup by-pass, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6HL