Cray Wanderers returned to winning ways after four games without a win with a come from behind victory against Corinthian Casuals at Imber Court with three goals in thirteen second half minutes to go 8th in the Isthmian Premier League table.

Corinthian Cauals edged the first half and went ahead in the 39th minute when Tyler Caton set up Mo Diallo for a shot which possibly was deflected and into the net. Cray though had a strong last quarter of the game and drew level in the 66th minute with a fine finish from Dan Bassett for his 6th goal of the season.

In the 77th minute, Sam Wood’s left wing cross was dispatched with great assurance from Ben Krauhaus for his first Wands goal. Then two minutes later a smart diving header from Tom Derry from Michael Ademiluyi’s cross to complete the scoring.

Cray began the game in 10th and had lost their last two league games but both by the odd goal against in-form Hastings United and Hornchurch and from the side which lost at Hornchurch into the team for his first league appearance came Tom Stagg for Billy Crook.

Corinthian Casuals after winning their opening game had gone seven without a win in the league and in 21st place but are a team who can rise to the occasion. From the side which lost at Enfield Town on Friday night there were two changes with Hakeem Adelakun and Jean-Pascale Trey-Masikini coming in for Ben Cheklit and Charles Edwards.

The match was played at the excellent facilities at Met Police FC whilst repairs are made to the dressing rooms at King George’s Field and after a brief sprinkle of rain before kick off Cray almost scored in the opening minute when Dan Bassett down the right cut inside and drove a shot wide of the right post.

Corinthian Casuals had a good spell for ten minutes and came close in the 11th minute when Mo Diallo set up Elijah Simpson down the right and his powerfully struck shot was pushed behind well by Shaun Rowley. Shortly after Ricardo Thompson saw an effort charged down and Rowley made a couple of decisive claims to crosses into the box in the first fifteen minutes.

For Cray, Tom Stagg was lively and down the left fired across goal and then Jalen Jones found Dan Bassett who flicked the ball through to Tom Derry and his shot from outside the area was deflected through to keeper Eddie Allan. Then down the right, Stagg curled an effort which just cleared the left post.

The game went through a bit of a lull until the 39th minute when Casuals went ahead when down the right the ball came to Tyler Caton who found space to line up a shot which came to Diallo who hit a shot from just outside the area which may have been deflected and gave Rowley not chance to save.

Casuals almost scored a second when Jean-Pascale Trey-Masikini did well to cut inside from the right and drove to just inside the area but fired over the bar.

On half time, Tom Derry had a claim for a penalty for a push after going down in the area after a chase with Hakeem Adelakun but nothing was given and at half time Casuals just about deserved their lead.

H/T: 1-0

Casuals had ended the half well and started the second in the same vein and threatened with a couple of corners in quick succession but Cray were able to break away and Stagg hit a shot over the top.

Then from a free kick down the left, Sam Wood’s cross was met by the head of Jalen Jones but looked to be off balance and the ball went wide.

Billy Crook and Michael Ademiluyi were introduced for Cray Wanderers on the hour and they helped to lift the Wands performance for the last half hour.

Cray were enjoying more possession and in the 66th minute drew level when Derry held the ball up and found Dan Bassett who hit a sweetly struck shot from just outside the area which hit the bottom left corner of the net to make it 1-1 and make if five goals in his last six league games.

Two minutes later Cray almost went ahead down the left, Bassett’s ball across found Ademiluyi who seemed to score from seven yards but Allan did superbly to block the shot and then held Crook’s low drive.

By now Cray were looking much more assured and in the 77th minute went ahead when down the left, Wood put over an inviting cross which Ben Krauhaus swept home from 12 yards for his first Cray Wanderers goal in some style.

Two minutes later Cray added a third to give them comfort when again down the left, Ademiluyi showed his pace to whip the ball across for Tom Derry who with a diving header glanced the ball into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the season.

Casuals who had worked very hard all game looked to rally near the end but Cray were able to batten down the hatches and after a difficult first half showed good character and quality to win the match in a game perhaps last season would have been lost.

There were some good performances especially from Krauhuas, Stagg, Freddie Carter was excellent once again, Bassett was sharp, David Ijaha impressive in midfield and Sam Wood had an exceptional second half as did Tom Derry.

Cray next go to Hanwell Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday and look to be back on track and with Nyren Clunis an unused substitute adds more quality to the side in what will be an interesting month with matches against early season pacesetters Potters Bar Town, Enfield Town and Horsham.

Corinthian Casuals: Eddie Allan, Zac Chislett (Ryan Green, 68), Jack Tucker, Ricardo Thompson, Hakeem Adelakun, Seidou Sanogo, Mo Diallo, Tyler Caton, Elijah Simpson (Ben Cheklit, 22), Ruben Carvalho, Jean-Pascale Trey Masikini (Luke Stokoe, 63).

Subs not used: Erald Desa, Ayman El-Mogharbel

Scorer: Diallo 39

Booked: Chislett

Cray Wanderers: Shaun Rowley, Anthony Cook, Jalen Jones, Freddie Carter, Sam Wood, David Ijaha, Mitch Chapman (Billy Crook, 60), Ben Krauhaus (Sam Skeffington, 90+2), Dan Bassett, Tom Stagg (Michael Ademiluyi, 60), Derry.

Subs not used: Nyren Clunis, Cerny Ando

Scorers: Bassett 66, Krauhaus 77, Derry 79

Att: 112