Cray’s pre-season continues tomorrow as the Wands travel to Southern Counties East League, Lordswood for the first time in a few years in a 3.00 pm kick off at Martyn Grove.

Both teams come into the game with good form with both winning their last two friendlies. Lordswood had a very good result on Thursday night beating local rivals Chatham Town 3-1. Cray are on the back of two wins in midweek with two differing sides. Lordswood are managed by James Collins and last season finished 15th in the SCEL table.

Lordswood were formed in 1968 and in 1981 became members of the Kent County League. They worked their way through the lower leagues winning promotion to the Kent League in 1996. Cray and Lordswood were regular opponents for many years before Cray’s promotion to the Ryman League. Our last league meeting at Martyn Grove was on 25th October, 2003 with Cray running out 5-1 winners in our 2003-04 Championship season. That day Adam Heaslewood scored twice with Jamie Kempster, Jamie Wood and Ricky Bennett also on target.

For those looking to travel to Lordswood here are some directions to the ground. The club play at the Martyn Grove Lordswood Sports and Social Club and is a suburb of Chatham. Lordswood is around three miles away from Chatham Town Centre. The ground has first class facilities and club house with Cricket and Rugby pitches as part of the centre.

Address:
Martyn Grove Lordswood Sports and Social Club,
North Dane Way,
Chatham
Kent SAT NAV CODE: ME5 8YE

Martyn Grove is not an easy ground to find by most means of transport. Exit the M2 at junction 3 and at the junction head turn left (if coming from coast then take third exit on roundabout). Then get in right hand lane, s/p Lordswood. Follow this road over the roundabout and pass the Alexandria hospital on left. At next roundabout take 2nd exit into Lordswood Lane. At next roundabout do a right into Ablemarle Road and at end of this road you have to turn left. Martyn Grove is 200 yards further down the road on the right hand side. There is plenty of free parking at the ground and in the Leisure Centre car park.

The nearest railway station is some distance away at Chatham with a cab being the only way to avoid a rather lengthy walk or cycle ride.