Despite a much improved second half showing Cray were unable to to pull back a three goal half time deficit as they slipped to another defeat in Ryman League Division One North.

Top of the league Needham Market came to Hayes Lane on a run of five consecutive wins and looked a well drilled attcking side who were certainly not afraid of shooting on site.

The game got off to an open start Nick Humphfrey saw a header from a corner tipped away by Shaun Phillips in the visitors goal, while Market’s Luke Ingram and Michael Brothers had shots go just wide.

Needham’s centre back Oliver Fenn hit the underside of the bar with a header from a corner as they began to press and they eventually took the lead on 19 minutes.

A long ball from defence was knocked down by Sam Newson into Brothers’ path who hit a superb volley from 18 yards past Dean Gardikiotis high into the net.

Cray continued to battle and Adrian Stone just flicked a Steve Springett header from a set piece over the bar. Gardikiotis did well to save from Newson when one on one soon after and The Australian Keeper also did well to deny Brother and Newson again.

The second goal eventually followed on 29 minutes when Newson again set up Brothers who coolly finished low inside the near post.

Springett headed a corner off the line as they leaders put on even more pressure, but Cray went three down on 40 minutes when Gardikiotis failed to get a good connection with a punch on a cross and Kemel Izzet played in Newson who swept the ball home from ten yards out into an un-guarded net.

Late on Ian Westlake and Ingram forced further saves from Gardikiotis as Needham Market dominated.

The second half saw Cray come out looking far more solid and positive with subs Helge Orome at the back and Alex Teniola up front.

The Wands pulled a goal back on 59 minutes when a huge Gardikiotis goal kick was headed past his own keeper by Ollie Brown as Teniola pressed.

Warren Whiteley and Chris Piper both fired over and Orlando Smith shot just wide as the home side bossed proceedings.

Market’s only efforts on goal were late on when Rhys Henry shot wide twice, while Cray sub Moses Ashikodi hit a free kick just over and also had another effort narrowly off target in injury time.

In the end the damage was done by a superb first half showing from the visitors who looked like a top of the table side, bur credit to The Wands for the spirit and character they showed on the second period.

 

Cray; Gardikiotis, Griffin (Orome 45), Simpson, Fakinos, Humphfrey, Springett (Teniola 45), Hill, Piper, Stones, Smith, Whiteley (Ashikodi 75).

Subs not used: Ives, Colquheun.

 

Needham Market: Phillips, Brown, Coakley, Morphew, Fenn, Whight, Ingram, Izzet (Munson 45), Newson (Henry 77), Brothers (Crisp 83), Westlake.

Subs not used; Mills, Nunn.

 

Att: 124

 

HT 0-3

FT 1-3

 

Goals: Market – Brothers 19 & 29, Newson 40mins.

Cray – Brown OG 59mins.

 

Ref: Mr S Parmenter