A Frannie Collin hat-trick saw Maidstone United head to the top of the Ryman Premier League with a comfortable 5-0 win at Cray Wanderers.

 

Bottom of the table Cray hosted high flying Maidstone at a wet Hayes Lane on Wednesday night and despite giving a good account of themselves still lost heavily to a very impressive Stones side.

Cray started brightly and had some promising possession, but on their first real attack Maidstone took the lead on 11 minutes when a defensive slip by Ben Frempah let in Frannie Collin to finish well from the edge of the box.

Orlando Smith had a powerful shot saved by Andy Walker straight from the restart and Alex Brown went close soon after.

Cray recovered and again pushed forward Leigh Bremner had a chance cleared off the line by Tom Mills with Lee Worgan stranded, but on the break Stones went 2-0 up on 33 minutes when Collin latched on to a loose pass and drilled the ball past Walker from 20yards.

Brown had a good effort blocked soon after for the visitors, while Bremner had two chances for Cray, one saved by Worgan and one just wide.

The second half began with Bremner going close again, but then Maidstone had a killer spell of dominance.

Alex Flisher crossed for Zac Attwood to head home on 53 minutes and then Collin completed his hat-trick with another great finish low into the corner on 61 minutes latching on to a great pass from Mills.

Bremner went close again for Cray who kept going and Tommy Whitnell headed wide following good work by Chris Sessingnon.

Late on Maidstone had another good spell, Robertson and Watt both went close before Flisher completed a great night for himself and The Stones with a fantastic strike from out wide curling the ball in from outside the box for 5-0 on 87 minutes taking them top of the table.

Cray now focus their attention on the FA Cup game at home to Faversham on Sunday at Hayes Lane hoping a good cup run can lift the spirits

 

Cray: Walker Sessingnon Clark (Fray) Stavrinou Young Frempah Saunders (Cook) Bremner Day (Eshiokun) Davisson Whitnell.

Subs not used: Ogunbiyi Ekeh.

Maidstone: Worgan, Davies, Mills, Watt, Andrews, Phillips (Lye), Smith, Brown, Attwood (Robertson), Collin (Booth), Flisher.

Subs not used: Sullivan, Sobers.

Star Man: Frannie Coillin (Maidstone)

Match Rating: 4/5

Att: 521