Cray Wanderers vs Corinthian Casuals – Friendly Match – 5/3/24
Cray Wanderers 1 (Lockyer 2 mins)
Corinthian Casuals 3 (Dede 21, Evans 61, Ditu 71
Cray Wanderers played the first 1st team game on the 3G surface at Flamingo Park on Tuesday 5th March with Corinthian Casuals winning the match 3-1.
Cray got off to a flying start and took the lead in the 2nd minute when Rhys Murrell-Williamson’s right wing cross was turned in from inside the six yard box by Gary Lockyer.
Shortly after Murrell-Williamson almost added a second goal when his close range prod was well saved on the line by the Casuals keeper.
Casuals saw a couple of shots go over the top but Cray continued to look sharp and Tom Beere set up Lockyer for a shot over the bar.
In the 21st minute Casuals levelled when Aderi Dede found space to curl in a shot into the top left corner.
Before half time Cray looked to restore the lead and a Frankie Raymond corner came to Ellis Brown who shot over.
Then Brown found Josh Hallard down the left and his cross was headed over by Locker. This was followed by Beere having a shot from outside the area held by the keeper and then Anthony Cook shot over the top.
HT: 1-1
There were changes to both sides for the second half and Cray looked to get back in front and Alfie Evans shot over the bar and then Sam Wood drove a shot wide. Then George Brooke put over a fine cross down the right which no-one could get on the end of.
In the 61st minute Casuals went in front when Finlay Evans won the ball and from inside the area placed the ball wide of Hugo Webb and into the net.
Cray though looked to level and the Casuals keeper made a fine double save to deny first George Porter when through on goal and then made a great parry to turn aside Sam Wood’s strike and from the follow up George Brooke’s shot was held.
In the 72nd minute Casuals scored a third when Exauce Ditu hit a classy finish from 20 yards into the bottom right corner.
There was still time with Cray looking for a consolation for Evans to see a shot saved and then from Emmanuel Kwatchey’s cross pushed the ball out and Evans shot was palmed away.
In the end it was still a great occasion for the Wands and fans to see the new pitch under lights and get a taste of things to come for next season.
Team: 1st Half: Shaun Rowley, Emmanuel Kwatchey, Jack Holland, Tom Bonner, Josh Hallard, Tom Beere, Frankie Raymond, Anthony Cook, Ellis Brown, Rhys Murrell-Williamson, Gary Lockyer: 2nd Half replacements: Hugo Webb, Cameron Black, Archie Johnson, Alfie Evans, Sam Wood, George Brooke, George Porter, Trialist, Yahya Bamba.
