Cray Wanderers vs Cray Valley PM
PSF – Tuesday 21st July –
Cray Wanderers 2
Hernandez 7 mins, own goal 43
Cray Valley PM 0
Pics. Natalie Stribbling
Cray Wanderers made it three straight wins as pre-season starts to enter the final strait as two first half goals proved decisive to defeat Cray Valley PM at a much cooler Flamingo Park than of late.
The Wands were looking to keep up the momentum of two back to back wins against National South opposition in Folkestone Invicta and Tonbridge Angels and there were two changes to the side which won on Saturday with Daniel Ajakaiye and a trialist right back coming in for Shae Hutchinson and Crossley Lema.
Cray Valley PM under Kevin Lisbie’s management are looking to rebuild following relegation from the Isthmian Premier to the South-East and named a side first half with some experience and also trying out four trialists.
The Wands played impressively in the first half and Ade Yussuf was a constant threat up front first half and saw an early effort blocked.
In the 7th minute Cray Wanderers went in front following the award of a free kick to the left of the area and perhaps around 20 yards out and from the free kick Alex Hernandez netted his first goal of pre-season with a precision shot into the top corner which mirrored his goal against the Millers in the League back in December.
Cray Valley looked to apply pressure and again Charlie Paye and Rob Strachan at the back were solid and apart from a Denzel Gayle shot held by Henry Molyneux held firm.
For Cray a good passing move saw a cross from the left from Alfie Payne cushioned with a neat lay off from Yussuf to Hernandez who headed into the arms of Prince Adeguke.
Then the always lively Ola Ogunwamide cut inside from the right and curled a shot just over the bar as Cray Wanderers continued to impress up front.
Cray Valley had a chance from a corner just before half time which saw the no 23 head wide of the right post.
However in the 43rd minute Cray Wanderers added a second goal which owed much to Yussuf who down the left went past a couple of defenders and just inside the area hit a cross-shot to the near post which saw the no 23 turn the ball into the net.
HT: 2-0
The second half saw a spirited response from Cray Valley who added a few more settled first team players and saw a couple of early shots blocked.
Then the no 10 who played well down the left saw a stinging effort which brought a fine diving save from Molyneux in the Wands goal.
Cray made a few changes of their own but did nearly score a third when Ogunwamide did superbly to turn down the right but in the end he just placed his effort just across the goal and wide.
For Cray Valley, Jack Leahyu saw a shot go just over the bar and the Tom Deighton came close with a volley over the top.
Cray Valley had the last item for the highlight reel when Leahy from twenty yards hit a well struck shot which Molyneux pushed over the bar well.
There were not too many chances in the second half and the game petered out a little by the end but Cray Wanderers would be happy with the win and getting more minutes in the players legs and back to back clean sheets augurs well with a new defensive partnership.
Cray Valley showed enough to suggest they will be one of the strong contenders in the Isthmian South-East this season and begin at Margate on 8th August who will also be among the favourites.
The Wands meanwhile now have a Saturday break as the scheduled game vs Crystal Palace XI has been cancelled (an u18s game in its place) but are looking and requested an away friendly on Tuesday 28th July. The Wands will definitely finish pre-season at Faversham Town on 1st August before the big kick off at Wingate & Finchley on 8th August.
Cray Wanderers: 1st Team:
Henry Molyneux, Trialist, Charllie Paye, Rob Strachan, Frankie Morgan, Alfie Payne, Frankie Raymond, Daniel Ajakaiye, Ola Ogunwamde, Ade Yussuf, Alex Hernandez: Subs: Shae Hutchinson, Mitch Chapman, Tade Kpotie, George Brooke, Harry Brooke, Miller Fleming
