Maidstone United vs. Cray Wanderers – FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay – Tuesday 22nd September, 7.45 pm
Pics: Natalie Stribbling
Cray Wanderers head to Maidstone United for the first time since the 2014-15 season on Tuesday after Saturday’s fine performance earned an FA Cup 2QR replay at the National South League leaders. Kick off 7.45 pm with the match decided on the night.
The winners of the tie will be at home to the winners of the West Country derby between Yate Town or Chippenham Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round.on 3rd October.
Saturday’s game saw Cray bridge the gap between the Isthmian Premier and National South and was an excellent cup tie keeping with tradition in this unique cup competition.
Cray had the better of the opening half against a Maidstone side who showed the Wands respect by naming a full strength team. The second half was more even and Maidstone took the lead in the 71st minute through Tom Leahy’s strike.
Cray though kept going and seven minutes from time Rob Strachan headed in from a corner for his second of the season to set up a trip to the Gallagher Stadium. There were some fine Wands performances on the day especially loanee keeper JJ Briggs and Ola Ogunwamide was a real handful especially in the first half with Alex Hernandez pulling the strings in the second half. Rob Strachan at the back has been leading with authority all season and his goal was just reward for a determined display.
No trip to Maidstone is ever easy and this will be the third time the Wands have faced United at the Gallagher Stadium with Maidstone winning both matches, 3-0 in the Isthmian Premier on 11th February 2014 and 4-2 in the Isthmian League Cup on 7th October 2014 where ex-United forward Shaun Welford scored twice for the Wands.
So far at home in the league Craig Fagan’s side were beaten on the opening day by Farnborough (1-2), and beat Salisbury (2-1) and Weston-super-Mare (1-0) and drew with Folkestone Invicta (1-1). They meet Truro City in the league at home on Saturday.
This will be a very tough match for the Wands but will go and give it a great go against a side with aspirations to be in the National League next season and there will a typical four figure crowd at the game under the lights by the Medway and should be a great occasion.
DIRECTIONS TO MAIDSTONE UNITED
Gallagher Stadium,
James Whatman Way,
Maidstone,
Kent. ME14 1LQ
Adults: £15.00
Concession: £10.00
Youth (11-17): £5.00
Junior (0-10): Free entry
Children aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult (18+) or concession (65+) for all first-team fixtures at the Gallagher Stadium, unless they are a 2026/27 youth season ticket holder or have a youth membership card
This match is not all ticket and supporters not segregated. Tickets will be available on the gate on the night and online – details at
Printed Programme: £3
Pitch: 3G
For those going straight to the ground there are plenty of food and drinks outlets and two bars around the ground and the Spitfire Lounge, the official clubhouse which serves food and drink. Wands supporters advised to stand at the Town End side of the ground which is the usual location of away supporters on matchdays.
Getting here
Supporters are advised to travel to the ground by public transport wherever possible to reduce congestion and emissions.
Please note: On first team matchdays, parking within the stadium is reserved. Passes have been provided to all those who are parking there. These will be checked on the road leading down to the gates. Please do not go to James Whatman Way unless you have a pre-reserved parking pass.
By car
M20 (junction 6) and M2 (junction 3). Follow signs to Maidstone on the A229. At the Royal Engineers roundabout, take the third exit on to James Whatman Way.
Parking
The nearest car parks are:
Maidstone East Train Station (seven minute walk)
Open 24 hours, accessed via Sandling Road
444 spaces
Off Peak Price: £6.80 (After 10:00)
Evening/Off Peak Price: £3.50 (After 18:00)
Pay for parking on the Apcoa App or buy at the station ticket machine
County Road (seven minute walk) – opposite Maidstone East ticket office
Open 24 hours, accessed via County Road, opposite entrance to County Hall
23 spaces
Three-hour daytime stay is priced at £3.50
Overnight charge of £3.00 (18:00 to 06:00), ideal for evening matches
Pay via the RingGo app (Location: 148038)
Car park operated by Park It Group
Fremlin Walk (ten minute walk)
Open till 23:30 daily
760 spaces
An evening tariff of £2.30 applies after 19:00 Sunday to Friday (must exit before 23:30)
The car park operates a pay on foot scheme. Pay stations are located on all levels by the main lifts.
This car park is now cashless and payment can only be made by credit/debit card or contactless options.
Lost tickets will incur a charge by car park operator Saba UK.
Fancy a walk along the River Medway on match days? Park at Lockmeadow Centre on Barker Road (ME16 8LW). Cross Lockmeadow Millennium Bridge and pass All Saints Church and the Archbishops’ Palace, along the towpath to the Gallagher Stadium.
By train
There are two mainline train station within walking distance of the Gallagher Stadium. Maidstone East is on the London/Ashford International line and Maidstone Barracks is on the Medway Valley line.
Trains for Maidstone East from Bromley South, Swanley at 12 (22) & 42 (52) past the hour.
Please note there is a direct train back to Swanley, Bromley South at 21:57 or the 22:14 requires a change at Otford. Last train at 23:13.
Trains from Dartford go to Maidstone Barracks via a change at Strood at 00 and 30 past the hour. Returns at 21:57 and 22:27 via Strood.
Southeastern website or download the Southeastern app from App Store or Google Play
By bus
From town centre, take the 101 bus. This stops at the top of James Whatman Way, outside the Kent Library and History Centre. Download the Arriva app from App Store or Google Play.
Nearest pubs to Maidstone United.
As for the time of the match maybe the Spitfire Lounge at the ground would be more suitable but if making a day of it away fans recommend The Society Rooms (JD Wetherspoon) is close to Maidstone East (Brenchley House, Week Street). The Hare and Hounds (45-47 Lower Boxley Road) is similarly away fans friendly. There is also the Miller & Carter Steakhouse on Sandling Road if you fancy a meal and pint which is a stones throw away. There are also a plethora of pubs in Maidstone Town centre but maybe better on a Saturday.
Maidstone is the largest town in Kent and is also Kent’s County Town and Admintrative centre with the River Medway flowing through it. Maidstone played a part during the Peasants Revolt of the 1300’s and leader Wat Tyler believed to have been from Maidstone. Also during the English Civil War there was a key battle of Maidstone with victory for the Parlimentarians (Roundheads) in 1648.
Maidstone was an industrial area especially in the printing industry but in more recent times has been a services town. Maidstone has a major military Barracks hosting the 36 Engineer Regiment. Also Maidstone has a category C prison to the North of the town.
On the outskirts of Maidstone is Leeds Castle founded in the 800’s which was home of Edward I and Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon.
