WHEN footballers talk about having a telepathic connection with their team-mates, I have always taken it with a massive pinch of salt.

But that was before speaking to the Wood brothers, Jamie and Lewis, who are currently topping the scoring charts at Cray Wanderers.

In separate conversations, they gave almost identical answers to what playing alongside each other is like.

Jamie, 28, said: "There is no better experience than playing alongside Lewis because we know each other's game inside out and we both know what the other one is going to do before they do it.

"That is such a good thing to have, especially up front."

Lewis said: "We can read each other's game inside out. We both know what kind of run the other one is going to make and the ball is there just as we get to the end of our run.

"I think we are better when one links up behind the other, like if I am up front with someone else and Jamie plays in the hole behind but, whichever way, we link up really well."

Uncanny? Maybe, but then there are differences. Jamie, who has made more than 300 appearances for the Wands and recently past the 100-club goals milestone, seems more level-headed.

Maybe this is because he is getting married in June and the veil of responsible is gently falling.

On the other hand, Lewis clearly wears his heart on his sleeve and is not afraid to take on a central defender who is double his size or, as has been the case this season, the man in black - the latter has led to suspensions whereas Jamie's season has been riddled with injury.

Lewis, who lives in Sidcup and works as a property facilities manager, said: "I have been known to be a hot-head. I think it is being the middle child which does it!

"I lose my temper quite easily but over the past two years I have calmed down a hell of a lot.

"But I am not as violent as people outside of football think I am. I'm just a normal 25-year-old bloke who goes about his business quietly.

"But on the pitch Jamie and I are quite small compared to most centre halves and I just don't want them taking liberties. You have to give as good as you get."

He added: "I hate referees more than anything in the world because they never seem to give anything to little fellas.

"If a big fella beats you in the air and pushes you it will be play on' but if you do it back, it will be you're pushing him'."

Jamie, who works in Crayford for BT, confirmed: "Lewis has mellowed in the past couple of years but he can be a bit of a hot-head whereas I will be the one who tries to pull him away."

With Lewis' hot temperament, you would forgiven for thinking there is a lot of banter about who will finish top scorer - you would be wrong.

Jamie said: "Lewis has two more goals than me in the league but I have more than him in the cups.

"I don't think we have any sibling rivalry because we don't have that sort of relationship. If he is in a better position I will pass to him, I don't think there is any rivalry."

Lewis said: "We both have 12 goals each but I reckon I will beat him.

"To be honest we don't rib each other about it but it is always in my mind. I want to finish top goalscorer no matter what team I'm at.

"When I am up there with my brother, it not necessarily a bigger scalp to beat him but I do want to get more goals, no doubt about it."

However, there is no getting away from Jamie's club record of 102, so far, goals in a tangerine shirt.

Jamie, who has played for Slade Green, Thamesmead and Folkestone, said: "Getting 100 goals was a good achievement. It should have been 101 that day but I missed a penalty.

"When I was on 99 I did not think about it. My dad and people at the club kept telling me I was on 99 goals but it did not affect me, although some would say it did.

"In the end I wanted to forget about it and get it out the way."

But the striker's treasured memories come from the club's back-to-back double-winning season of 2002/03 and 2003/04 and the FA Vase run to the quarter-final in 2004.

As for Lewis, despite this being his first year in the Cray first team, he has garnered a wealth of experience since a stint in Cray reserves four years ago.

He has appeared for Erith & Belvedere, Beckenham and Banstead before returning to Cray when boss Ian Jenkins, who happens to be the brothers' uncle, invited him to pre-season training in the summer of last year.

And it has been a season which is coming down to the wire - with 11 leagues games to go, Cray are edging closer to a play-off spot and they also have a Westview League Cup semi-final to look forward to.

Lewis said: "I think 100 per cent we will get in the play-offs. Our next seven league games are against clubs seventh from bottom and downwards.

"If we don't get 21 points it will be disappointing. I know certain teams are fighting for survival but our quality should just show.

"And if we all want to get into the play-offs as much as me, Jenko (the manager Ian Jenkins) and Joe (assistant manager Joe Francis), then we will.

"We can easily put a run together and go unbeaten until the end of the season."

Jamie, who lives in Blackfen, said: "We need to go a good run. In our last four games we have had three draws and a win and probably two of the draws should have been wins.

"We have got it in us to go on a good run with Lewis coming back from suspension. Michael Power's return from injury is a big boost as is Mark Willy's return.

"I think Ian has in mind the 11 players who will take us on the run and he is close to getting it."

He added: "The table is still tight, if we win our two games in hand on fifth or sixth place it can push us right in there and everyone has to play everyone."

And with Jenkins pushing them all the way, what is to say they will not reach the promised-land?

Jamie said: "Ian can lose it sometimes if we're not playing well but he encourages us to get the ball down and play.

"We are a good passing team, the training is fun and the banter is good. Everyone gets on and to top it off we have got a decent manager."

Cray visit Chatham Town on Saturday before the long trip to Dover Athletic on Tuesday night for the Westview Cup semi-final.