Cray maintained their lead at the top of Ryman League Division One North with a 2-0 win over Cheshunt thanks to an early goal in each half and some fine goalkeeping from Nick Blue at a chilly Hayes Lane on Saturday.

The Wands started brightly and after Aryan Tajbakhsh had gone close early on they took the lead on the next attack when Grant Basey sent over a deep cross for Leigh Bremner who played the perfect ball to Ben Hunt to finish from close range.

This was Hunt’s second goal in two games since resigning for Tony Russell’s side the previous week.

Cheshunt rallied after the early set back and Kyle Assante had an effort saved by Blue, but The Wands still looked the more likely to score with Hunt going close again after combining with Bremner.

The play was delayed for several minutes after a serious looking shoulder injury to Cheshunt’s Joe Clemo and things quietened down for a spell once the game restarted.

Late in the half Karl Dent had a deflected effort palmed away by Jayden Purde and the keeper made a great save from Hunt’s header at the resulting corner.

The second half saw The Wands extend their lead three minutes in when Tajbakhsh sent a deep cross from the right over to sub Michael Freiter who headed home at the back post with his first touch of the game.

Basey had a free kick saved by Purde soon after, with Bremner denied by the custodian from the rebound before Sean Roberts put the third chance over the bar.

The visitors battled their way back into things and had a goal ruled out for offside before Assante had two shots just off target and Dave Kendall saw his powerful effort gathered by the inspired Blue.

Cray began to look tired and gave the ball away too frequently in midfield inviting pressure on themselves, Ayrton Coley and Tom Fletcher both saw chances well saved by Blue, while Jason Hallett put a good opportunity wide of the target.

Late in the game Cray settled a bit more and had the final chance when Roberts did well to connect with a high through ball, but Purde made a comfortable save.

The Wands ran the clock down and saw out the win to keep them at the top of the league going into winter months.

Next up for Cray is a trip to trip to Thurrock to play Romford on Saturday.

 

Cray: Blue, Osifuwa, Basey, Fox, Payne, Roberts, Tajbakhsh, Dent (Carpenter 45), Hunt (Powell 78), Bremner, Duckworth (Freiter 45).

Subs Not Used: Vines, Faulkner.

Cheshunt: Purde, Kizzi, Clemo (Fletcher 19), Gater, Kendall, Illsley, Bristow, Milner (Coley 70), Pullen, Hallett, Assante (Bolle 83).

Subs Not Used: Cooper, Payne.

Goals: Cray – Hunt 5mins, Freiter 48mins.

HT 1-0, FT 2-0

Att: 117

Referee: Mr R Adams