Cray Wanderers complete a hat-trick of Isthmian Premier away games on Tuesday night as the Wands head to Horsham FC for a battle between the two sides promoted from last season’s Isthmian South-East. This is the first visit to the Camping World Community Stadium and kick off is 7.45pm.
Cray come into the game in good heart with two wins in a row on the road, both coming from an early goal down at Merstham (2-1) last Tuesday and a 3-2 win at Lewes on Saturday. This moved Tony Russell’s side up to 7th in the table with five wins, five draws and just two defeats in their 12 games and are unbeaten in the league away from home. On Saturday Joe Taylor notched his fifteenth goal of the season with a terrific audacious lob from out on the right just after the half hour to put Cray level and then Mitchell Nelson up from the back shot Cray in front on the stroke of half time. Andre Coker tapped home five minutes after the break for his fourth goal of the season to give Cray comfort and although the home side pulled one back before the end Cray held on to win.
There is a great confidence and togetherness about the side and for the first time at Lewes, Tony Russell had an injury free squad to choose from and could be peaking at the right time ahead of a busy period of games in the league, FA Trophy and Kent Senior Cup leading into November.
Horsham returned to the Isthmian Premier for the first time since the 2011-12 season after a dramatic series of playoff games against Haywards Heath Town and Ashford United after finishing second, eight points behind Cray in the Isthmian South-East. Dominic Di Paolo’s team have made a great start to the season at their new home and after their 4-0 win at home to Merstham on Saturday moved up to 2nd in the table, two points behind leaders Folkestone Invicta. Goal scorers on Saturday were Charlie Harris, Rob O’Toole, Chris Smith who has 13 goals for the season and ex-Wands skipper Lea Dawson.
Their home form has been solid with wins against Wingate & Finchley (2-1), Hornchurch (1-0) and Merstham (4-0). They drew with Leatherhead (1-1) and Carshalton Athletic (2-2). Their only loss came to Folkestone Invicta (0-1). Away form has been excellent with wins at Enfield Town (4-1), Lewes (2-0), Brightlingsea Regent (4-0), Cheshunt (1-0) and Corinthian Casual (2-1). They drew at Bognor Regis Town (1-1) and were beaten at Bishop’s Stortford (0-2). In the FA Cup they advanced to the 2nd Qualifying Round after wins against Tower Hamlets and Met Police before losing at home to Dartford. They begin their FA Trophy campaign away to Haringey Borough on Saturday.
Last season’s encounters saw a win apiece in the Isthmian South-East. Horsham were the first side to beat Cray Wanderers in the league in December with a 4-2 win on a rain lashed and stormy afternoon at Culver Road. Goals from Ben Mundele and Archie Johnson twice put Cray level but a Rob O’Toole hat-trick and a Charlie Harris strike won the game for the Hornets. When the two sides met at Hayes Lane on 9th March Cray were comfortable 2-0 winners with goals from Junior Dadson and a Joe Taylor penalty. The sides have met 18 times either in the Isthmian South, South-East or Premier with Cray winning 9, Horsham 5 and 4 draws with Cray winning a couple of FA Trophy games in between. Horsham though did win a Isthmian Division One South Playoff Semi-Final in May 2005.
Horsham were a good team at Sussex County League level in the 1930’s winning the league six times. They won the Athenian League in 1972-73 and joined the Ryman League where they have remained for all but one season. They first met Cray in competition in 2004-05, the Wands first in the Ryman League Division One where we met in the Promotion Play-Offs Semi Final with Horsham winning 3-1 before they lost in the final at home to Bromley. The following season they did get promoted to the Ryman Premier for the first time finishing runners up to Ramsgate. In 2007-08 they had a good FA Cup run to the 2nd Round Proper where they met Roberto Martinez’s Swansea City and took them to a replay, both games were televised. We would meet again in 2009-10 after Cray’s promotion to the Premier for three seasons before they were relegated and after three more seasons in the South were relegated to the Southern Combination. In 2015-16 they were promoted from the Southern Combination and then consolidated for a couple of seasons in the Isthmian South. After playing a couple of seasons at the Sussex FA HQ at Lancing in the newly formed Isthmian South-East a tremendous run during 2018 made them the main challengers to Cray Wanderers in the division and finished in 2nd place behind the Wands. In the playoffs they were promoted to the Isthmian Premier after wins against Haywards Heath Town and Ashford United. They begin life at the new Camping World Community Stadium at Hop Oast after winning planning permission for the new ground three years ago and have started this campaign in great style.
This promises to be another excellent game under lights between two sides who have settled nicely to the Isthmian Premier and should be great entertainment.
DIRECTIONS TO HORSHAM FC
The Camping World Community Stadium, Hop Oast, Worthing Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 0AX
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults – £11
Seniors (over 60)* – £6
Under 18s* – £6
Students* – £6
Under 16s – £2
Under 5s – FREE
*on day of match (proof of age may be required)
Arriving by car
Where possible, supporters travelling by car should arrange to share with others.
The quickest route from St. Mary Cray: Take Court Road/Orpington by pass/A224 to M25 in Chelsfield. At Hewitts Roundabout take 2nd exit onto M25 heading to Sevenoaks/A21 for 0.8 miles. At roundabout take 2nd exit onto M25 slip road to M23/M3/M4/Gatwick/Heathrow/Hastings/Sevenoaks/A21. After 0.4 miles merge onto M25 for 3 miles.
At junction 5, use left two lanes to take M25 exit to M23/Gatwick/Heathrow/M4 for 0.8 miles. And continue onto M25 for 11.7 miles. At junction 7, use left 2 lanes to take M23 (S) exit to Brighton/Crawley/Gatwick for 1 mile then merge onto M23 for 13.2 miles. At junction 11, take the A264 exit to Horsham.
After 0.3 miles take at roundabout 3rd exit onto A264 then after 0.3 miles at Tollgate Hill roundabout take 2nd exit, staying on A264 for 1.4 miles. At roundabout take 1st exit onto Horsham Road/A264 and follow for 0.6 miles. Then at Kilnwood Vale roundabout take 2nd exit onto Crawley Road/A264 for 1.3 miles and then at Moorhead roundabout take 2nd exit onto A264 for 0.7 miles.
Then at Rusper Road Roundabout take 2nd exit and stay on A264 for 1.30 miles then at Great Daux roundabout take 1st exit on to A24 for 0.6 miles. Then at Robin Hood roundabout take 2nd exit and stay on A24 for 3 miles. Finally at Hop Oast roundabout take 1st exit onto Worthing Road/B2237. After 0.2 miles turn right and ground will be on the left.
Please note that parking in the Stadium Car Park will be limited on matchdays to Players, Match Officials, Home and Visiting Club Officials and Invited Guests. There are a small number of reserved spaces for drivers displaying Blue Parking Badges which are subject to availability and must be booked through the Club office in advance.
All supporters arriving by car will be directed to the Hop Oast Park & Ride, which is located opposite the access lane to the Stadium. The Post Code is RH13 0AR. It is five minutes’ walk to the Stadium and qualified marshals will be on hand to assist you across the main road. When big attendances are expected, information will be published on additional parking arrangements nearby with a free shuttle service to the Stadium.
There is strictly NO MATCHDAY PARKING in Worthing Road, Denne Park, Salisbury Road, Horsham Golf & Fitness or the access lane to the Stadium.
**Please note that, where big crowds are anticipated, supporters are requested to use the RSPCA car park from where there will be regular shuttle busses to the ground
By Rail
Horsham Railway Station is served by frequent trains from London, Gatwick, Crawley and the South Coast. There are up to five Metrobus services an hour to the Stadium from Bus Stop L (see information above).
Trains to Horsham midweek go from London Victoria and leave at 06, 25, 36 & 55 past the hour with the 25 and 55 taking around half an hour longer to arrive. Direct trains back leave at 21:50 and 22:20.
You can also get there from London Bridge and these leave at 00, 02 or 03 & 30 past the hour while the 05 & 35 require a change at Three Bridges. Returns leave at 21.55 & 22:25 taking around 1 hr 05 to get to London Bridge.
By Bus
The most convenient means of travel to the Stadium is by bus.
Metrobus run up to four services an hour on Route 98 to the Stadium from Roffey, Southwater and Horsham Railway and Bus Stations, with more extensive hourly services on Route 23 from Crawley and Worthing. Travel time from Horsham Bus Station is five minutes. Subject to demand, the Stadium will be served by double-decker vehicles on matchdays.
Supporters should ask the driver for “Golf Club for Horsham FC.”
Nearest pub: I would advise seeing as a new ground and a midweek match you are probably best to get to the ground and enjoy what is on offer there. Otherwise if you have time on your hands then The Bear, 17 Market Square RH12 1EU about half a mile from Horsham station looks to be the best rated but plenty of choices elsewhere.
