Cray Wanderers vs AFC Whyteleafe
PSF – Saturday 4th July
Cray Wanderers 1
AFC Whyteleafe 3
HT: 0-1
Photos: Natalie Stribbling
After a break of nine weeks Cray Wanderers returned to action in the first of seven pre-season friendlies at a sunny Flamingo Park in a unique match with new tenants AFC Whyteleafe the first opponents. The match gave an opportunity for supporters to meet and greet and look at the team whilst giving a chance for AFC Whyteleafe fans to get used to their new surroundings.
I always find the first maybe two pre-season games are more about the occasion rather than the matches themselves. It is naturally good to be back but often with the opening game it is about seeing fellow fans, volunteers and colleagues you maybe haven’t seen for a while and a relaxed feel if you are a reporter or looking to chronicle a game. With the teams trying out trialists which is natural this early the teams are looking at structure, stamina, passing movements and gently getting into a rhythm, team spirit and work ethic. No-one really remembers the result of the first pre-season game and perhaps that is how it should be.
It was good to see friends again and also it was encouraging to see so many AFC Whyteleafe supporters making the trip from Surrey and it made for a very positive occasion. It must have come as a surprise to many supporters when the announcement was made about the ground share and there was some initial backlash to the news but this seems to have dissipated of late and most people I spoke to were complimentary about the facilities and perhaps the season ahead. There were also sightings of a few ex-Wands popping in to watch like Anthony Cook, Sam Wood, Chris Dickson and Tom Carlse amongst others that I saw.
The match itself saw a Cray Wanderers team with a mostly different second half lineup and after a first half where AFC Whyteleafe with a more settled team made changes themselves after the break.
Understandably on a warm day despite a welcome breeze that the early pace of the game was rather slow and chances were few in the opening twenty five minutes.
Cray had a half chance when Ola Ogunwamide found space down the right of the area but couldn’t quite deliver a ball across to one of a handful of new signings, Ade Yussuf.
Shortly after Matty Warren had a shot from distance well held by Henry Molyneux for the green kitted AFC Whytleafe side.
The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute when down the right Ryan Gondoh provided a fine cross for Dan Bennett to fire in from ten yards.
Shortly after the no 20 headed over and Gondoh saw a shot deflected wide and then one of a handful of ex-Wands Jamie Mascoll set up Bennett for a shot pushed over well by Molyneux.
HT: 0-1
Cray with a handful of changes in the second half levelled three minutes after the break when from a free kick down the right into the area Charlie Paye was on hand to apply a cool finish to set the second half off nicely.
Five minutes later AFC Whyteleafe went ahead when a ball into the area was punched away but came possibly to the no 9 to finish at the left post.
The game from here settled down and there wasn’t too many chances but AFC Whyteleafe were presented with a chance to wrap up the win after Aaron Goode’s positive run into the box but after his first shot was saved was clipped inside the area and in the 80th minute another former Wand, Helge Orome slotted in from the spot.
Cray kept going and were unlucky to not at least pull a goal back when from a free kick in Alex Hernandez territory the striker saw his shot hit the right post and go wide.
In the end AFC Whyteleafe who looked a decent and settled side won the match but for Cray there was no harm done and was a good workout for both teams.
Cray’s next pre-season match sees a visit to Dover Athletic on Saturday 11th July while AFC Whytelafe host Beckenham Town on Tuesday, 7th July.
Cray Wanderers: 1st Half: Henry Molyneux, Crossley Lema, Trialist A, Charlie Paye, Trialist C, Frankie Morgan, Frankie Raymond, George Brooke, Trialist B, Ola Ogunwamide, Ade Yussuf
Second half replacements: Lateef Adaja, Mitch Chapman, Rob Strachan, Alfie Payne, Alex Hernandez, Dan Ajakaiye, Kian Eyers, Archie Morley, Trialists
AFC Whyteleafe first half: Slav Huk, Corey Holder, Jamie Mascoll, Montel McKenzie, Matt Warren, Geofrey Okonkwo, Ade Cole, Jordan Johnson-Palmer, Francis Mampolo, Dan Bennett, Ryan Gondoh:
