Phoenix Sports vs Cray Wanderers – PSF – Tuesday 1st August, 7.45 pm – Match Preview and Directions
Pics: Ben Keyes
Cray Wanderers play their penultimate pre-season friendly this evening as the Wands head to Phoenix Sports. Kick off at the Christopher Russell Stadium is 7.45 pm.
Cray continued their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a merited 1-1 draw at Westfield with Anthony Cook levelling from the penalty spot after trailing at the break. George Porter saw a goal disallowed and hit the crossbar during the game and Yahya Bamba was denied by a good save by the Wesfield keeper.
There were some fine performances throughout the ninety minutes with Archy Taylor, Jamie Mascoll, Porter, Cameron Black, Jack Holland, Frankie Raymond, Liam Northwood in goal who made a spectacular save late in the game and Cameron Thompson have all caught the eye in the opening five games. Another plus was the appearance of Lennie and Reggie Rye from the Wands Academy who both played in the second half and showed that talent will flourish with first team opportunities.
Cray though will be tested to the full against Phoenix Sports this evening who have returned to the Isthmian South-East after a one season absence. Steve O’Boyle’s side earned promotion after finishing second behind Erith & Belvedere in the SCEFL Premier last season and won a promotion/relegation playoff at near neighbours VCD Athletic who finished 17th in the Isthmian South-East to return after relegation in 2021-22.
Phoenix in pre-season began with draws at Bowers & Pitsea and Holland & Blair, then wins at Snodland Town and Holmesdale. Phoenix then lost narrowly at home to Welling Town (2-3) last Tuesday and on Friday night drew 2-2 at home to Dartford. They open their competitive fixtures for the season on Saturday 5th August at home to Eastbourne United in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup and their first league game is at home to Chichester City a week later.
Phoenix came a long way in a short space of time following their placing in the Kent Invicta League in 2011-12. Promotion as champions was confirmed the following season and after a season of consolidation won the Southern Counties East League title in 2014-15 gaining promotion to the Isthmian League North for the first time. They finished 14th in 2015-16 and did even better coming eighth the following season. Phoenix were then moved to the Isthmian South where they finished 11th in 2017-18 and then 9th in 2018-19 in the Isthmian South-East. In 2021-22 Phoenix finished 19th and were relegated to SCEFL Premier before bouncing back straight away.
The last time the two teams met at Phoenix was in the Isthmian South-East 2018-19 season on 1st March 2019 with Cray winning 1-0 with a Karl Dent goal. Overall the teams met six times in league games with Cray winning three, Phoenix once and two draws.
Games between the sides are always competitive and close and with the season getting ever nearer both will look to finish pre-season in a positive manner. Cray finish pre-season on Saturday with a visit to South Park (Reigate).
DIRECTIONS TO PHOENIX SPORTS FC
Phoenix Sports Club
The Christopher Russell Stadium
Mayfield Road East, Bexleyheath, Kent
SAT NAV: DA7 6JT
Admission
Adults: £5.00, Kids: £1.00
Please be aware of roadworks outside the ground.
Mayfield Road East is located just off the A2000 and is only a stone’s throw away from VCD Athletic’s ground at Oakwood. From the Cray’s the journey should take 20 minutes. Follow
the A224 for 1.7 miles, and at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Edgington Way/A223.
At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto N Cray Road/A223 for 2.1 miles and at the next the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto N Cray Road/A223 for 2.1 miles and at the next roundabout take the 1 st exit staying on N Cray Road/A223 following the A223 for 0.3 miles.
At the next roundabout take the 2 nd exit onto Bourne Road/and then at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Bourne Road/A220/A223 for another 0.3 miles and then at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Bourne Road A223 for 0.8 miles. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto London Road/A207 for 0.3 miles and then turn left onto Crayford High Street A2000 following for 0.2 miles and then at the roundabout continue straight on to Old Road, then turn right on Manor Road and then after 0.3 miles at the roundabout take the 1 st exit onto Mayplace Road East for the ground.
The 492 bus takes you outside the ground from Sidcup railway station and takes about 30 minutes. You can also get there from Dartford and Crayford stations.
The nearest railway station is Barnehurst and is 0.8 miles away and should take fifteen minutes to walk. From leaving the station, turn left onto Northall Road and then a right onto Beverley Road then a right onto Westfield Road. After 0.3 miles turn right onto Manor Way and then after 0.1 miles turn left onto Mayfield Road East.
The clubhouse at the ground is very good and can be very busy which adds to which is usually a lively atmosphere. If you happen to arrive at Barnehurst station there is the Red usually a lively atmosphere. If you happen to arrive at Barnehurst station there is the Red Barn (98-100 Barnehurst Road) very close to the station which may satisfy you if you arrive early and is popular with jazz enthusiasts.
Perhaps a bit nearer the ground is the Travellers Home (pictured) which is on Long Lane in Bexleyheath which serves good food. Not far from the ground itself on Mayplace Road East is the Oceans Takeaway (166 Mayplace Road East) which does quite a selection of food from Fish and Chips to Tandoori meals.
For those that like a small round of golf, there is a 9 hole Golf Course on Mayplace Road East (pictured) is just less than a 5 minute walk to the ground but might be a bit soggy if our summer is anything to go by.
