Cray Wanderers vs Maidstone United PSF
Saturday 2nd August – Match Report
Cray Wanderers 2
Nzala 41, Adaja 73
Maidstone United 0
Cray Wanderers completed an unbeaten pre-season campaign after an excellent victory against National South Maidstone United at Flamingo Park keeping a clean sheet into the bargain.
The first half was fairly even going into in the last five minutes but Cray went ahead when Ashley Nzala netted his fifth goal of pre-season with a confident run and shot. Cray could have added to the lead before half time and added a second in the 73rd minute, well taken by Lateef Adaja just moments after coming on as substitute.
Cray had won three and drawn two of the five previous games but this looked to be the toughest assignment to date against Maidstone United who came close to a return to the National League last season only losing in National South playoff final to Boreham Wood.
The Wands began confidently and won a couple of left wing corners but couldn’t quite get into a position to get a shot in at goal.
Maidstone had the first real shooting chance in the 8th minute when after a decent passing buildup the ball came to David Sesay who hit a low shot from 20 yards which was saved by Harry Seaden.
Then from a left wing corner the ball was played to the near post but Leo Hamblin planted a header over the top. This was followed by ex-Wand Dajon Golding having a well struck shot which Seaden saved at the second attempt.
Maidstone at this stage were just looking the more punchy and Golding saw a fizzing shot go just over and from a free kick in a decent central position John Gilbert fired his shot over the bar.
Cray began to stem the tide and Frankie Raymond hit a shot from outside the box which Nathan Harness did well to save.
Then just after the half hour the industrious Frankie Morgan did well to keep the ball in play down the left byline but managed to put over a dangerous cross which forced Harness to make a smart stop.
Maidstone came closest yet in the 37th minute when Riley Court down the left broke into the area and his cross-shot was well saved and pushed out by Seaden.
The half deserved a goal and it came four minutes before half time and well taken as a good passing movement ended with Frankie Raymond playing a pass to Ashley Nzala who burst down the left, cut into the area and after beating two defenders hit a shot which Harness saved but Nzala followed up the rebound to turn the ball into the net.
Cray now had their tails up and Alex Hernandez curled a shot over and then Nzala came close again but was denied by a push out save by Harness.
The Stones’ keeper made another great save in added time when Morgan’s cross was tantalising and Hernandez got a merest touch to the ball but Harness did well to save with his legs and following up Josh Williams shot over.
HT: 1-0
After an exciting cut and thrust first half the second half although competitive saw fewer chances with substitutions inevitably having to be made with the league season just a week away.
Maidstone came close four minutes after the restart when Jessie Nwabueze did well down the right to set up Golding who placed a shot just past the right post.
Cray though with the exceptional Morgan, Tom Bonner, Remi Sutton and Prosper Keto at the back were looking very solid and comfortable and Cray began to threaten a second goal.
Firstly Raymond set up Williams and his ball into the box was punched away by Harness and following up Luke Allen hooked an effort over.
Then, down the left Morgan once again showed his deadly accuracies from crosses with for the second game running almost scoring down the left with a wickedly swerving cross-shot which went just past the right post.
In the 73rd minute Cray added a second goal after a ball over the top came to Lateef Adaja who had only been on for two minutes and cut into the box and hit a well drilled finish wide of Harness and into the net.
Maidstone looked to reduce the arrears and Nwabueze down the right attempted a near post shot which Seaden palmed behind for a corner.
The visitors came close to scoring two minutes from time when Sam Oguntayo down the left put over an excellent cross which was inviting for Josh Redfern in front of goal but couldn’t get a firm connection and the ball came to a Trialist who saw his shot blocked by Tom Bonner.
The final activity of the game came a minute later when Nzala took advantage of hesitation at the back, looked to take the ball round Harness and saw his shot cleared off the line by Lexus Beeden who then cleared off the line again to deny Nods Bobomurodov and finally Josh Williams shot over the top.
Cray though had been superb throughout and put the icing on a cake of an unbeaten pre-season with a clean sheet and a fine all round team performance against a Maidstone side who are likely to pose a serious challenge for promotion.
The Wands now kick off the Isthmian Premier season at home to Canvey Island next Saturday and looking to maintain a run at home during 2025 of just one home defeat in league and pre-season. 3 pm ko on Saturday 9th August and the Cray Massive who were in good voice throughout the game will be looking forward to an exciting season.
Cray Wanderers: Harry Seaden, Prosper Keto (Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera, 80), Tom Bonner (Capt.), Remi Sutton (Quade Taylor, 76), Frankie Morgan, Frankie Raymond, Luke Allen (Tom Jackson, 66), George Brooke (Nods Bobomorudov, 71), Ashley Nzala, Josh Williams, Alex Hernandez (Lateef Adaja, 71)
Booked: Owiredu-Gyamera 88
Maidstone United: Nathan Harness, David Sesay (Sam Oguntayo, H/T), Leo Hamblin (George Fowler, 60), Lexus Beeden, TJ Bramble (Trialist, 83), Jephte Tanga (Trialist, 72), Deon Moore (Jessie Nwabueze, H/T), John Gilbert (Josh Redfern, 60), Dajon Golding (Trialist, 72), David Agbontohoma, Riley Court (Sam Corne, H/T)
Booked: Bramble 55
Referee: Patrick Jolliffe
Assistants: Jack Smith, Ian Bentley
Att: 422
