On the road for a third matchday in a row, Whitehawk make the shortest of three trips with Bromley’s Hayes Lane the destination for a moonlight meeting with Cray Wanderers.

Shaun Saunders admitted after Saturday’s sorry showing at Potters Bar Town that it was his side’s poorest performance of the season, and so a response will hopefully be on the cards against another Isthmian Premier struggler on Wednesday night.

The Opposition

Positioned in 17th as we near the start of December, it’s been a difficult start for Neil Smith’s side as they sit two points above the drop zone.

There was likely a lingering malaise around Hayes Lane after defeats in all opening five league matches saw them rock bottom, but this was swiftly followed up with a 5-1 win at Chatham Town – spotlighting the unpredictability of this division.

They are since playing like a midtable side having turned things around a touch, but plenty more work is to be done if they are to further push away from the danger that lies below.

One to Watch | Gary Lockyer

A name that has featured on the opposing team sheet in recent campaigns, Lockyer was an integral part of Ashford United’s attacking line over the years, but has since moved to the furthest reaches of Kent after a brief spell with big spenders Faversham Town.

Originally joining ‘The Wands’ from Ashford United at the start of last season, he made six appearances before heading back to the Nuts and Bolts. His return to Ashford saw him score twenty one goals in thirty eight games.

Previously playing for Ramsgate, he started out with Gravesend and Northfleet before having trials at Charlton Athletic and Aldershot Town, and spent many years playing for Lydd Town. The 31-year-old also won back to back promotions with Kennington quite a few years back.

Recent Form – WWWLD

25/11 | Dulwich Hamlet (H) | Drew 1-1

18/10 | Weston-super-Mare (A) | Lost 4-1 (FA Trophy Round 2) 

11/11 | Carshalton Athletics (H) | Won 1-0 

8/11 | Tooting & Mitcham United (H) | Won 4-2 (London Senior Round 1)

4/11 | Wingate & Finchley (A) | Won 3-1

Previous Meetings

The two sides last met back in October of 2020 – the penultimate match of a curtailed campaign courtesy of the pandemic. In what was Jude MacDonald’s final match as Whitehawk manager, Cray Wanderers ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on a bitter afternoon at The Enclosed Ground.

Before this, you’ll have to travel back to the 2012/13 season to find another batch of meetings, with the Hawks earning a league double after a 2-0 win at home, and a 2-1 win away. 

How to Follow

If you can’t make it to Hayes Lane tonight, you can follow the action via our X (Twitter) and Facebook channels, the former of can be found here.

Tickets

Tickets can be bought at Hayes Lane this evening, or online via this link.