Cray Wanderers vs Dulwich Hamlet – Isthmian Premier – Tuesday 30th September, 7.45 pm
Cray Wanderers complete a busy September under the lights on Tuesday night as Dulwich Hamlet are the visitors to Flamingo Park between two teams in the playoff positions. Kick off 7.45 pm
This match will be played in honour of Kerry Phillips, the former Club Secretary of both Cray Wanderers and Dulwich Hamlet who passed away in March 2024.
Both teams have started the season well and after Saturday, Dulwich who have seemed rejuvenated this season after a disappointing 2024-25 season are 4th in the table with Cray a place behind in 5th with both on sixteen points although Cray have played a game more. The teams
On Saturday Cray could perhaps consider themselves unlucky not to come away from Ramsgate with more than a point after a 1-1 draw but certainly played their part in a very good match to watch. Lateef Adaja has been in a rich vein of form and made it three goals in two matches with a clinical first minute opener at Ramsgate and was unlucky not add another shortly after.
Defensively Cray were solid and aside from a penalty for the home side and a free kick which hit the bar conceded few chances to a Ramsgate used to scoring plenty of goals so still plenty of positives to take from the game.
Dulwich Hamlet came under new management in the summer with former Cray Wanderers U18s coach Mark Dacey taking over at Champion Hill and has already made a good impression after Hamlet last season finished 18th in the table. The game will see some familiar faces for both sides with Quade Taylor, Ashley Nzala, Frankie Raymond and Marc-Anthony Okoye having all played at Dulwich whilst former fan favourites Anthony Cook and Nyren Clunis are part of the Hamlet team. Also defender Jeffrey Okonkwo had a spell with Cray during the 2019-20 season.
Dulwich began the season with four straight wins without conceding a goal before a defeat at Whitehawk on August Bank Holiday Monday. Since then they have won one drawn one and lost one and on Saturday became the latest side to come across league leaders Brentwood Town and their powers of recovery and won 2-1 at Champion Hill. Anthony Jeffrey gave Dulwich an early lead but Brentwood Town fought back to win with a second half goal.
Away from home Dulwich have won at Wingate & Finchley (1-0) and Ramsgate (2-0). They drew at Cheshunt (1-1) and were beaten at Whitehawk (0-1). At home Dulwich have beaten Dartford (4-0), Canvey Island (2-0) and Welling United (3-1) and were beaten by Brentwood Town. In the FA Cup, Dulwich were beaten at home by Cup Kings Whitstable Town (2-3) and in the FA Trophy 3QR on Saturday will be at home to Hendon. Top scorer so far is Luke Wanadio with seven goals in league and cup.
Since Cray’s promotion to the Isthmian League in 2004 the sides have met sixteen times with five seasons in the Isthmian Division One South. Cray have won eight, Dulwich five and three draws.
Last season both teams had a home win each. Dulwich beat Cray 2-1 on August Bank Holiday 2024 with George Porter and Anthony Jeffrey scoring for Dulwich and Tom Bonner for Cray. The Wands though were 1-0 winners at the first ever meeting at Flamingo Park on New Years’ Day with a Frankie Raymond goal.
This has the potential to be a cracking game, under the lights with perhaps a late evening chill but two teams who have made confident starts to the season and should be a match for the connoisseur and one that the great Kerry Phillips would have approved of.
Admission £15 adults, £10 concessions, £5 U16-U13s, U12s free with adult. Printed Match Programme: £3 available at the turnstile, merchandise, hot and cold food and drinks. Bars available and Champions League football on the big screen.
