A superb injury time strike from James Duckworth was enough to secure the win for Cray in their top of the table local derby with Thamesmead at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, leaving The Wands four points clear at the top of the table.
Thamesmead started the game the brighter testing Nicky Blue in the home goal early on before Cray settled down Sean Roberts forcing a save from former Wands Keeper Andy Walker and Karl dent shooting wide.
With the home side missing both first choice strikers at times there wasn’t the killer touch to finish off some nice approach play from The Wands, while ‘mead showed plenty of desire to win the midfield battle with some strong challenges.
Duckworth had an effort deflected wide for Cray while Blue did well to deny The Greens Michael Uwezu as he latched on to a poor back pass. In a tight cagey affair Cray went close late in the half as Grant Basey’s curling free kick was deflected on to the bar and cleared away to safety.
The second half took a while to get going, Walker saved a low Duckworth shot with his feet and Roberts went close his effort bravely blocked by Michael Aziya.
Following a foul on Duckworth, Basey’s free kick was saved by Walker who was hurt in the challenge for the ball with Lea Dawson.
Thamesmead Sub Tyrus Gordon-Young blasted a good chance over when baring down on goal and went close with a header soon after as the visitors had a strong spell of pressure, but despite a couple of defensive wobbles Cray held out.
Late on The Wands built some momentum, Nick Reeves shot over after a Ben Payne knock down from a corner, Mike Freiter had an effort saved by Walker and the keeper bravely saved at the feet of Ray Powell as the game entered injury time.
Then after a spell of treatment to the ‘mead keeper Cray created one final opportunity, a slick passing move up field saw Powell play in Duckworth who unleashed an unstoppable effort high into the net from just inside the box to win this closely fought game with a piece of quality finishing.
Thamesmead were very unlucky to leave this game empty handed, but as the cliche goes if you are going to win the league it’s victories like this that can define a season.
Tony Russell’s men are back in action at Hayes Lane on Saturday in the FA Trophy against East Grinstead Town.
Cray: Blue, Osifuwa (Payne 53), Basey, Reeves, Carpenter, Dawson, Roberts, Dent (Powell 68), Freiter, Duckworth, Deakin (Moore 64).
Subs Not Used: Lodge, Faulkner.
Thamesmead: Walker, Aziya, Porter, Dark, Barry, Hallam, Butler, Kargbo, Fairweather-Johnson, Jeffrey (Gordon-Young 61), Uwezu.
Subs Not Used: Anidugbe, Everitt, Gorbell, Omand.
Goals: Cray – Duckworth 94mins.
HT 0-0 FT 1-0.
Att: 170
Referee: Mr S Williams
Picture supplied by Ed Boyden