FA Trophy · Final
Saturday 26 September, kickoff 15:00
Cray Wanderers will write their name into non-league history on Saturday afternoon when they travel to face Cheshunt in the FA Trophy Final, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 BST. The Wands, one of Kent’s most storied non-league clubs, will be competing for one of the most prestigious prizes available outside the Football League, and supporters from across the county will be making the trip to cheer on Neil Smith’s side in what promises to be a momentous occasion.
The form guide
With this being a one-off final rather than a league fixture, traditional form data for both sides is unavailable in the conventional sense, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions from recent results alone. What can be said is that both Cheshunt and Cray Wanderers will have navigated a demanding FA Trophy campaign to reach this stage, overcoming multiple rounds of knockout football to earn their place in the showpiece event. For Cray Wanderers, simply arriving at a national cup final is a testament to the quality and resilience within the squad, and the occasion itself will demand that both sides produce their very best regardless of what has come before in recent weeks.
The head-to-head record
| Date | Competition | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 May 2021 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cheshunt | null-null | Cray Wanderers |
| 23 Oct 2021 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cheshunt | 4-0 | Cray Wanderers |
| 5 Mar 2022 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cray Wanderers | 1-1 | Cheshunt |
| 23 Sept 2023 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cray Wanderers | 2-1 | Cheshunt |
| 17 Feb 2024 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cheshunt | 0-1 | Cray Wanderers |
The history between these two clubs makes for compelling reading ahead of Saturday’s final. Across the last five meetings, Cray Wanderers hold a clear psychological edge, and the head-to-head data strongly favours the Kent side. Most recently, in February 2024, the Wands claimed a 1-0 victory at Cheshunt’s ground, a result that will provide genuine confidence heading into this weekend’s encounter at the same venue. Prior to that, Cray Wanderers secured a 2-1 win on home soil in September 2023, further underlining their recent dominance in this fixture. The two sides also shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw back in March 2022. The one blemish in recent memory for the Wands came in October 2021, when Cheshunt ran out emphatic 4-0 winners, a reminder that the hosts are more than capable of turning the tables on their opponents. Overall, however, the head-to-head record across the last five competitive meetings tilts firmly in Cray Wanderers’ favour, and that will not be lost on either dressing room come Saturday afternoon.
The men in the dugout
Cheshunt
Cray WanderersCheshunt will be guided by C. Edwards, who will be looking to mastermind a cup final victory on home soil and deliver a landmark moment for his club. Opposite him in the technical area, Cray Wanderers manager N. Smith carries the hopes of Kent’s non-league community on his shoulders. Smith’s task will be to ensure his side are tactically prepared and mentally sharp for the demands of a final, where margins are invariably fine and composure under pressure can prove decisive. Both managers will have had ample time to prepare their sides for this occasion, and the tactical battle between the two dugouts could prove just as intriguing as the action on the pitch.
Players to watch
With no standout individual scoring data available for either side ahead of the final, the focus will inevitably fall on collective performances rather than individual brilliance. That said, finals have a habit of producing unlikely heroes, and both squads will contain players capable of seizing the moment on the biggest stage of their non-league careers. For Cray Wanderers, the players who have contributed most throughout the Trophy run will be eager to cap their efforts with a winner’s medal, while Cheshunt will look to their own key performers to impose themselves on the occasion from the first whistle.
The prediction
Bookmaker advice: Double chance : draw or Cray Wanderers
The prediction model points to an evenly contested final, with the head-to-head record giving Cray Wanderers a notable edge over their opponents. The Wands’ recent victories against Cheshunt, including that 1-0 win at this very ground in February 2024, suggest they are well-equipped to handle the occasion and the environment. A draw at full time remains a genuine possibility given the high stakes and the tendency for finals to be tight, cautious affairs. However, with the head-to-head data so heavily weighted in Cray Wanderers’ favour, the smart money may well be on the Kent side to edge it — either in normal time or beyond. Expect a hard-fought contest, but Cray Wanderers look capable of returning to Kent with the trophy.
Preview data via api-football. Form, head-to-head, standings, manager and prediction figures sourced live at the time of compilation; squad and team-news availability subject to last-minute change.