After the injury time disappointment of their FA Cup exit on Saturday, Cray got back to Ryman League Division One North action on Tuesday with the visit of Cheshunt, but unfortunately for Keith Bird’s men it was to end in another morale sapping defeat and resulted in his sacking after just under a year in charge which has seen relegation from the Ryman Premier Division and a another poor start to this campaign.

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The visitors came down from Hertfordshire three places above The Wands having already changed management this season, with both sides looking to edge away from the relegation places and they started the brighter.

After Allen Bossman had forced a save from Darren Behcet they took the lead on 9 minutes when Josh Fagbohun turned in a dipping cross at the near post. Cray responded with Laurent Hamici in his first game back at the club going close and Adrian Stone having a header cleared off the line from a corner.

Shaun Welford headed over from another corner and Ian Daly had a shot saved by Glen Williamson, before Hamici also hit the foot of the post after showing some great control in the box. Late in the half Cheshunt finished strongly with Bossman forcing two saves from Behcet.

The second half saw the visitors start the better and they extended their lead on 49 minutes when Adam Bollie hit a superb strike from the edge of the box for 2-0.

Joe O’Brien had an effort saved by Behcet, before Cray battled back. The Wands had some nice approach play, but failed to really create chances with Stone going closest when he drove wide from 25 yards.

Cheshunt moved up a gear in the final quarter and they were 3-0 in front on 72 minutes when a slick passing move opened up the home defence and Bossman finished well, driving home from close range. Hamici went close with a couple of chances before The Wands went down to ten men after Cesc Fakinos limped off with all three subs already used.

The final Cheshunt goal came on 82 minutes when Aryan Tajbakhsh was given time and space to hit an unstoppable drive from 30 yards out giving Behcet no chance. Late in the game Hamici finally got on the score sheet hitting a fine effort in off the post from 20 yards out, a goal his performance deserved.

Cray now travel to league leaders Needham Market on Saturday looking for a new management team and hoping for a much needed turn around in form and luck.

 

Cray: Behcet, Fakinos, Bird (Williams 45), Stone, Larin, Fitzgerald, Beckett (Stubbs 53), Hamici, Welford, Daly (Beveney 70), Welsh.

Subs Not Used: Kedze, McRae.

Cheshunt: Williamson, Clemo, Llewellyn, Sem, Elenge, O’Brien, Payne, Tajbakhsh, Bollie (Edgerley 82), Fagbohun (Adewumi 82), Bossman (Anderson 85).

Subs Not Used: Da Silva, Barrett.

 

Goals: Cray: Hamici 90mins.

Cheshunt: Fagbohun 9, Bollie 49, Bossman 72, Tajbakhsh 82mins.

 

Referee: Mr P Yates

Star Man: Allen Bossman (Cheshunt)

Match Rating: 3/5

Att: 83