Cray Wanderers fell to their second league defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon at Hayes Lane, as they were blown away by a superb second half display from Bishop’s Stortford.
The Wands started the game well with Jerome Frederico setting up Joe Taylor who fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Jason Banton then had a shot saved by Jack Giddens from a narrow angle before the home side’s pressure finally paid off on 16 minutes when Parker made some space on the edge of the area with some great footwork and coolly passed the ball into the corner of the net for 1-0.
Parker had another effort saved by Giddens soon after and Frederico was just off target with a cross shot before the visitors finally created a chance when Aaron Greene fired just wide.
Despite losing Banton to injury Cray continued to have the better of things with Parker having one goal bound effort blocked and a free kick from almost on the bye line brilliantly saved by Giddens.
Late in the half Mitchell Nelson was cautioned for a challenge on Ben Marlow, with Sam Robbins firing they resulting free kick over. Then in injury time Greene battled his way through the Cray defence, but put his chance wide.
The second half was a totally different story, from the off Green had a shot tipped over by Lewis Carey and as The Blues pressed he went one better on 58 minutes hitting a sweet half volley from twenty yards out that gave Carey no chance as it dropped into the net just inside the far post to equalise.
Carey made a brave save at the feet of Frankie Merrifield as Stortford did all the pressing, which eventually saw The Wands concede a penalty on 68 minutes as Jay Leader tripped Greene in the box.
Merrifield sent Carey the wrong way with the spot kick to make it 2-1 to The Blues.
With Cray unable to get going and with the supply to Taylor cut off and the defence under pressure it was the visitors who sealed the game just six minutes later when Carey played a short pass to Leader that saw him caught in possession in the area and the ball fell to Merrifield to roll the ball home from six yards out.
Cray just didn’t seem to be able to find their way through the Stortford midfield throughout whole of the second half and they nearly fell further behind late on when Thomas Richardson fired over when well placed.
Bishop Stortford’s second half display was enough to earn them the victory and move up to fourth in the table after Five games.
While Cray now have to focus on Tuesday night, as they head down to Bristol Manor Farm for their FA Cup third qualifying round game.
Cray- Carey Mundele Leader Nelson Carlse Pritchard Phipp Parker (Allen 81) Frederico Banton (Murrell-Williamson 31)Taylor. Subs: Onoabaghbe Lewis Williams Hall.
Stortford- Giddens Mvemba Thomas Robbins Henshaw Marlow Merrifield (Richardson 81)Greene(Brown 88)Jones Foxley (Davidson 81)Haines. Subs: Baker Mullings
Att: 338
HT 1-0 FT 1-3
Goals: Cray – Parker 14mins. Stortford – Greene 58, Merrifield 68 pen & 74 mins.
Ref: Graeme Irons