Cray Wanderers vs Tonbridge AngelsPSF – Saturday 18th July – Match Reporr 1
Cray Wanderers 1
Strachan 6
Tonbridge Angels 0
Cray passed the half way mark of pre-season with a second victory against National South opposition in a week as an early Rob Strachan header was enough to defeat Tonbridge Angels at a once again warm Flamingo Park.
The match followed on from Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Folkestone Invicta and there were with two changes to the starting eleven from that game with Frankie Morgan coming in for Lateef Adaja and Shae Hutchinson for Dan Ajakaiye. Tonbridge named a strong first half team but also gave a chance for a handful of trialists as the game went on and Cray defended well to continue to build confidence.
The noon kick off saw a respectable crowd and Tonbridge began impressively and came close in the third minute when Bailey Akehurst who had a brief spell at Cray in the 2021-22 season put over a cross that was headed wide of the right post by Harvey Lintott.
Cray though bared their teeth and from a free kick in a decent position in a central position Alex Hernandez saw his shot deflected over for a corner. From the corner the ball came to Ola Ogunwamide whose near post shot was pushed over by Nathan Harness. From the second corner from Frankie Raymond down the right his ball into the box was glanced home impressively by Rob Strachan.
Shortly after Ade Yussuf who had a great game up front saw a shot go just wide of the right post before Bunmi Babajide came close for Tonbridge with a shot that was well blocked. Then for Angels Harry Gardner fired in an effort which was saved at the second attempt by Henry Molyneux.
In the 25th minute Tonbridge came close again from a corner down the left which was played into the box but was headed wide by Ethan Sutcliffe.
A minute later up the other end Alex Hernandez came close with a shot that Harness perhaps made a bit of a mess of but turned round the post for a corner.
The rest of the half saw Cray perhaps with the edge but was a good watch but not too many chances on goal.
HT: 1-0
The second half saw Cray with the same side to begin with up to the hour and defended well against more concerted Angels pressure in the opening ten minutes.
The Angels no 24 curled an effort wide then Babajide saw an effort blocked and then fired over the top. Then Akehurst lofted an effort over from a good ball from another ex-Wand, Jephte Tanga.
Cray made their changes on the hour including Mitch Chapman, Dan Ajakaiye, Billy Wall, George and Harry Brooke, Tade Kpotie, Kian Eyers and a couple of trialists.
The Wands played well in the last quarter of the game and almost added a second goal when Tade Kpotie who had the bit between his teeth after scoring on Tuesday night came close again with a smart strike which forced a good save from the Angels keeper and Tade followed this up with a shot over.
Cray sought a second goal and almost came when Billy Wall saw a shot held and then also when George Brooke stabbed an effort towards goal.
The last real chance of the game came to Tonbridge when Lamar Reynolds down the left saw his hooked effort headed off the line.
Cray continued to hold out and in the end picked up a well earned victory and one that overall was well deserved and there were some fine performances and topped off a good week.
The Wands next host Cray Valley PM on Tuesday night as Cray head away from National South sides and will be looking to keep up the momentum with just three weeks to go until the start of the season
Cray Wanderers: Henry Molyneux, Crossley Lema, Charlie Paye, Rob Strachan, Frankie Morgan, Frankie Raymond, Alfie Payne, Shae Hutchinson, Ola Ogunwamide, Alex Hernandez, Ade Yussuf. Subs: Kian Eyers, Mitch Chapman, George Brooke, Harry Brooke, Billy Wall, Dan Ajakaiye, Tade Kpotie, three trialists.Cray Wanderers vs Tonbridge Angels
