Cray Wanderers attempt to reach the last 32 of the FA Trophy for the first time came to an end as three second half goals won what was a tight cup tie and end the Wands 16 game unbeaten run.

Despite the final scoreline, Cray put in a lively and industrious display and had the better of the first half before the joint leaders of the Vanarama South took their chances late in the game.  An early Jay Leader header over the top and Lea Dawson shot just wide from just inside the area saw Cray carve out the best early chances and Ben Mundele, Aaron Rhule and Michael Freiter tested home keeper Nathan McDonald.

However, Braintree had threatened from the start of the second half and took the lead in the 63^rd minute when Karl Oliyide turned the ball home from Roman Michael-Percil’s left wing cross.  The game was still in the balance going into the last quarter of an hour but the Iron grabbed a second in the 77^th minute when from a swift breakaway Marcel Barrington tapped in from eight yards.  The scoring was then completed seven minutes from time when      substitute Matt Baxter drove home a right wing shot to effectively end the Wands challenge.

Cray only qualified for this round on Wednesday following the dramatic victory over Moneyfields at Hayes Lane and from that side there were a couple of changes.  Lea Dawson returned after his one game suspension for Zak Henry whilst Jerome Federico started for Brandon Scott.

On a bright but ultimately cold late November afternoon the two sides set off at a fast pace and the home side won a free kick close to goal and an early corner which came to nothing.

Tony Russell’s side created the first opening when Federico ball in from the right was turned over the bar by Jay Leader from six yards.

Then top scorer for Braintree, Phil Roberts put a good ball through to Roman Michael-Percil but an alert Nick Blue advanced to claim the ball as he bore down on goal.

The best chance of the game came in the 12^th minute when Dean Carpenter’s ball through found Lea Dawson who hit a well hit shot which fizzed just past the right post.

The match became quite even after that although Braintree threatened when from Billy Crook’s right wing corner, Mark Okoye’s header went straight to Blue.

Cray then had a potential shout for a penalty when Mitchell Nelson’s cross was claimed by MacDonald who then dropped the ball under pressure from Rhule who appeared to be impeded by the keeper when challenging for the ball but no penalty was given.

Then Cray came close when Ben Mundele cut inside from the right and from the edge of the box hit a shot which MacDonald got down to save.  This was followed by Roberts for the home side firing in a shot from twenty-five yards claimed by Blue.

The Wands threatened again this time down the left with ex-Braintree player Barney Williams setting up Rhule who shot from twelve yards which MacDonald did well to save.

Before half time, Roberts shot over the top and then curled an effort just over from Karl Oliyide’ pass for Bradley Quinton’s team.

The final opportunity of the half came to Cray when Mundele set up Freiter from the edge of the area which was comfortably held by MacDonald.

 

Half Time:  0-0

 

It got infinitely more colder in the second half but there was a tremendous noise and support coming from the Cray Massive throughout the half.

The Wands had had the better of the opening half but the second half saw Braintree come out of the traps a lot quicker and Oliyide down the right put the ball into the box for Roberts who stooped low to head the ball but his effort was blocked and the ball was cleared.

Cray had a fair amount of possession in good areas but couldn’t quite get into a position to test the keeper unlike the first half. From a Cray corner, the ball was cleared out to Barrington who charged forward and drove a shot just over the crossbar.

Then Blue made a fine save to deny Barrington from Michael-Percil’s cross, then from a free kick floated into the area Osa Obamwonyi headed over.

The feeling was that the first goal in the game would be crucial to determining the final outcome in such a tight match and unfortunately for Cray it came in the 63^rd minute when Crook hit a sure cross field pass from the right out to Michael-Percil who found space to run into the box and square the ball to Oliyide who turned the ball into the net.

Cray now had to push forward in order to get back into the game and efforts from Nelson and Williams were blocked close to goal.

Braintree now looked like the team that are second in the National South and Blue made an excellent save with his legs to deny Oliyide a second goal from Crook’s left wing corner.

The Wands got caught in the 77^th minute following a swift break from a Cray attack and Oliyide found Roberts down the right who put a good ball into the area and Barrington reacted quickest to divert the ball into the net.

Cray in their admirable quest to keep attacking ran the risk of getting overrun and Braintree grabbed a third goal in the 83^rd minute when substitute Matt Baxter who had only been on the field for a couple of minutes cut inside down the right and did well to squeeze a shot wide of Blue and into the bottom corner of the net to give the scoreline a rather harsh look.

By this stage the game was well won for Braintree but Cray had put a lot into the game and almost got on the scoresheet late on but Dawson shot wide of goal from twenty yards.

So the Wands FA Trophy adventure had come to an end but they certainly put in a sterling effort and for at least the first hour of the contest had given Braintree a tough game and could hold their heads up high.

The Wands can now concentrate over the coming weeks to their promotion push and after the weekend games lie fifth in the Bostik South, seven points behind the top two.  They next meet Ramsgate on Wednesday night at Hayes Lane which gives Cray an opportunity to move on from today’s efforts and look to build another lengthy unbeaten run.

 

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Barney Williams, Jay Leader (Marcus Evans, 84), Mitchell Nelson, Lea Dawson, Dean Carpenter, Michael Freiter (Ralique Lawrence, 77) Michael Power, Aaron Rhule, Jerome Federico (Brandon Scott, 67).

Subs not used: Freddie Parker, Zak Henry

 

 

Braintree:  Nathan McDonald, Mahrez Bettache, Ricky Gabriel, Osa Obamwonyi, Make Okoye, Christian Frimpong (Ben Wyatt, 62), Roman Michael-Percil (Matt Baxter, 81), Billy Crook, Phil Roberts, Karl Oliyide, Marcel Barrington (Dernel Wynter, 85).

Subs not used:  Samir Bihmoutine, Jon Muleba

 

Booked:  Okoye

 

Referee:  Ms. Amy Fearne

Assistant Referees:  Joshua Crofts, Thomas Beeton

 

Att: 214