The spoils were shared in this hugely eventful and entertaining local derby at Hayes Lane on Sunday leaving Cray Wanderers still in need of two more points for the league title and giving Greenwich Borough a real chance of survival from relegation.
The game sparked to life on 7minutes when Referee Finnegan awarded Borough a penalty after Mitchel Nelson had appeared to have cleanly won a tackle on Olutoyosi Olusanya inside the box.
The visitors seized their opportunity to go in front as Yeshaune Tyreece Walters tucked away the spot kick for 1-0. Rhys Paul went close soon after with a fiercely struck drive before a tense looking Cray slowly started to get going.
Karl Dent had an effort saved by Oliver Webber down low at his near post, Jerome Frederico fired wide and Joe Taylor headed an Archie Johnson cross over the bar. Junior Dadson was also off target from range before late on Sean Roberts was booked for halting a Greenwich break up field with a mistimed challenge.
The second half saw Borough start better, Ben Mundele did brilliantly to deny Jack Sammoutis after a strong run from Olusanya and the visitors’ striker headed a free kick over from close range when well placed.
Cray rallied again and started to press, Mundele had a shot saved by Webber and Nelson had a header from a corner cleared off the line by Jamie Stuart. Sub Jordan Clarke was also denied by Webber and so was Tom Carlse after just coming on. A quick break up field by Borough saw Paul and Olusanya get in each others way on the edge of The Wands box before Paul fired wide.
Then came another controversial moment when Paul was shown second yellow card as he volleyed the ball right at the moment Dent went in to head the loose ball. After a long delay, the game got going again and The Wands made their man advantage count when Carlse cut in from the left and sent a great low ball back across the six yard box for Dent to convert at the far post. Cray pressed from there knowing a win would guarantee them the league title, Dent had a free kick deflected wide, Jay Leader headed the resulting corner over before Referee Finnegan was involved again when he awarded The Wands a penalty.
Nelson was heading towards the bye line in the area when Luke Leppard brought him down with a crude challenge. Tom Phipp stepped up to take the spot kick, but his tame shot was saved by Webber low down to his right and the following corner was cleared away. Cray continued to push forward in search of their championship winning goal, Carlse had a volley saved by Webber following good work by Frederico and a great run from Mundele set up Dent who fired over.
Clarke was booked for diving as The Wands became desperate for their break through and in the ensuing pushing and shoving the previously red carded Rhys Paul re-entered the field of play, seemingly trying to act as peace maker and had to be escorted off the pitch. In injury time with Cray fully committed forward Greenwich raced up field on the break, the ball coming to Kayne Roberts who rattle the underside of the bar with a fiercely struck effort from ten yards out.
In the end Cray Wands just didn’t get the lucky break they needed and they also came up against a steadfast Borough defence and an inspired goal keeper who were battling to avoid dropping out of the league. Tony Russell’s men now entertain Ashford Utd on Saturday in search of the points they need to win the title and promotion, while re-vitalised Greenwich Borough face Guernsey in a game that could decide matters at the other end of the table.
Cray: Blue, Johnson (Carlse 68), Mundele, Leader, Nelson, Frederico, Dent, Phipp, Dadson (Clarke 65), Roberts (Parker 78), Taylor. Subs Not Used: Lewis, Williams.
Borough: Webber, Scarlett, Lee, Paul, Okonkwo, Stuart, Walters, Valler (Roberts 68), Olusanya, Sammoutis (Leppard 75), Robinson. Subs Not Used: Bankole, King-Elliott, Fairweather-Johnson.
Goals: Borough – Walters 7 pen. Wands – Dent 77mins.
Att: 274
Ref: Mr Simon Finnegan