Bostik Development League South – 11/2/19
Cray Wanderers U23s 6 Lewis 4, Uchechi 19, 59, Morgan 32, Parker 44, Carty 65
Three Bridges U23s 0
Cray Wanderers U23s moved up into second place in the Bostik Development League South table after a very impressive performance against Three Bridges which produced six goals.
The Wands got off to a great start on 4 minutes when Lee Lewis scored direct from a corner kick with set the standard for the night after an outstanding performance from the midfielder. Goals from Daniel Uchechi, Frankie Morgan and Freddie Parker before half time basically sealed the game and in the second half another goal from Uchechi and a well taken effort from Deshon Carty finished off an impressive nights work.
Cray who drew 2-2 with Hastings United last Monday were tied on 26 points with Lewes and Hastings eleven points behind Tooting & Mitcham at the top but got off to a great start against 10th place Three Bridges.
The Wands started quickly and Daniel Uchechi getting a run out for the U23s fired over before Cray took the lead in the 4th minute. The Wands won a corner down the left and Lee Lewis’s inswinger to the far post flew into the net with the keeper stranded and Cray were off and running.
Lewis was having an inspired game already and set up Uchechi down the right of the area who fired a cross-shot across goal and wide. Then Lewis tested the keeper with a low shot.
Another good cross from Neil Spencer down the right narrowly missed an onrushing forward and then Frankie Morgan saw an effort blocked and behind for a corner.
On 19 minutes it was 2-0 when from a free kick the ball came to Deshon Carty who broke into the area and laid the ball across to Uchechi at the far post who controlled the ball, found space and finished emphatically into the net.
Lewis saw a cross just miss a touch from a striker before Freddie Parker shot wide of the right post as Cray dominated.
Three Bridges had a little spell when they threatened a comeback and the no 9 broke to the edge of the area but shot wide. Then he was set up by the no 10 down the left of the area and he curled a shot narrowly over the top.
On 32 minutes, Cray scored a third goal and a quality strike as Ben Branch found Joe Barber who played a fine ball out to the left to Frankie Morgan in acres of space who turned and lashed in a ferocious shot into the roof of the net.
The half just seemed to be drifting towards the break but was lifted on the stroke of half time when the impressive Charles Etumnu picked up the ball 35 yards from goal, charged forward into the area and from close to the byline played the ball into the six yard box where the poacher Parker was on hand to stab the ball home.
Half Time: 4-0
The second half looked to be continuing in the same vein and Parker shot just wide with a wicked cross-shot early on. Then from a corner, Barber’s cross was flicked to Parker but the ball was blocked on the line and from a free kick 30 yards out, Lewis’s cross was flicked on by Barber and just missed Ben Hullett at the left post.
Another goal was coming and did so on 59 minutes after the award of a free kick on the right edge of the penalty area. From a clever set piece, Lewis clipped the ball across the area to Uchechi who rifled home from the edge of the area to make it 5-0.
For the visitors, the no 10 shot over and the no 4 fired wide as Three Bridges played some nice football going forward.
On 65 minutes it was 6-0 when Parker put Carty away down the left of the area and as the keeper came to meet him, took the ball round him and calmly and with great assurance clipped the ball into the net at the right hand post.
Carty then saw an effort blocked by the keeper, Parker shot wide from 25 yards and Cain Cruz saw an effort blocked out to Parker sho shot wide.
Uchechi looking for a hat-trick fired a free kick into the arms of the keeper and then set up Ronnie Payne who hooked an effort wide.
This was a hugely impressive win for Cray and the Wands have a second fixture in the league this week as they head to Molesey looking to cut Tooting & Mitcham’s lead to five points at the top.
There are some superb players in the U23s side, Lewis was exceptional throughout. Morgan never stopped running, Carty looks a great prospect as does Ben Hullet at the back and Charles Etumnu impressed in midfield.
Next Monday, Cray are at home to Lewes which could help to decide at least 2nd place in the league for one of those teams but on this form Cray will be very hard to stop.
Cray: Tiwa Fujamade, Ben Branch (Cain Cruz, 52), Frankie Morgan (Ronnie Payne, 71), Ben Hullet, Charles Etumnu, Joe Barber, Deshon Carty, Lee Lewis, Neil Spencer (Alfie Young, 59), Daniel Uchechi, Freddie Parker
Booked: Branch
Attendance: 26