Cray continued their great run of recent form with a single goal victory over a resilient Guernsey side who despite being on the back foot for long spells could have nicked a point late on.

Cray started well with Danny Haynes breaking down the right and hitting the post with a low shot across goal. The Wands pacey forward line of Haynes and Brandon Scott Haynes caused The Green Lions plenty of problems and a series of corner saw Lea Dawson, Lee Prescott and Karl Dent all go close.

A spirited Guernsey battle hard at the back to keep Cray out, but their resistance was broken on 36 minutes when Haynes broke free down the right again and cut into the box before coolly placing the ball past Chris Tardif and just inside the post for 1-0.

The visitors’ first real chance came late on from a corner when Matthew Loaring hit a half volley just over the bar from the edge of the box.

The second half saw Cray start well again with Brandon Scott forcing a save from Tardif before Guernsey came into the game more. Ross Allen went on a powerful run down the right which saw Dawson booked for his attempts to stop him, but the prolific striker was unable to put in the final ball in as Nicky Blue cleared the danger.

Allen had a good chance soon after which he put narrowly wide when one on one with Blue, as he and Kyle Smith worked tirelessly up front.

With the game wide open and play beginning to get stretched Dent had an effort saved and Bradley Woods-Garness blazed over with his first chance after coming on as sub.

Allen had another shot saved by Blue before The Wands had a good spell with Scott twice denied by Tardif, Woods-Garness firing over, Dawson heading wide from a corner and Haynes having an audacious 40 yard chip saved by the former Portsmouth keeper.

A strong run by Scott created another chance for The Wands, but his effort from a tight angle clipped the side netting.

The Green Lions rallied again late on with Allen forcing a save from Blue, but Cray held out and had the final chance of the game when Sol Taiwo hit a fierce free kick that was well saved by Tardif.

Tony Russell’s side have now moved up to fourth in the table and will be hoping to be a little more clinical in front of goal on Saturday when they travel down to Lewes for their next league game.

 

Cray: Blue, Mundele, Siva, Leader, Lorraine, Dawson, Prescott (Taiwo 63), Roberts, Haynes, Dent (Woods-Garness 63), Scott (Osifuwa 89).

Subs Not Used: Osibodu, McKinlay.

Guernsey: Tardif, Geall, Fallaize, Steel, Domaille, Dodds, Loaring, Black, Heaume, Allen, Smith (Wiltshire 70).

Subs Not Used: Kelly.

HT 1-0 FT 1-0

Goal: Haynes 36mins.

Att: 206

Ref: Mr I Searle