Cray Wanderers kept their Isthmian League Premier Division play off hopes alive with a 2-0 win over relegation threatened Kingstonian at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon with a goal in either half.
The Wands got off to a bright start with Jehpte Tanga’s early shot being tipped over by Rob Tolfrey, but Ks also had an early chance when Lee Lewis had a shot saved by Shaun Rowley.
After Cray continued to press, they took the lead on 11 minutes when Nyren Clunis’ corner found Harrison Sodje at the far post and he volleyed home for 1-0 into the corner of the net.
Kingstonian could have equalised soon after when Darrell Goather-Braithwaite had a point blank effort brilliantly saved by Rowley, who showed why he was voted Supporters Player of the Season with another great display between the sticks.
The Wands continued to dominate possession, but Ks always looked dangerous on the break, especially with Goather-Braithwaite’s pace down the left.
Former Wanderer Lewis had a free kick tipped wide by Rowley for a corner as the visitors began to come into things more, but Neil Smith’s side then had another good spell of pressure with Sam Wood going close from range.
At times Cray seemed to lack a little zip when passing the ball round, but they finished the half well with Destiny Olidapo having two shots saved by Tolfrey as he found space in the box despite being tightly marked.
The Wands got the second half off to the perfect start when on 47 minutes a Clunis corner was headed towards goal by Jalen Jones at the far post and when the ball came back to him he lashed it into the roof of the net for 2-0.
Dan Bassett and Dayshonne Golding then both forced saves from Tolfrey, before Goather-Braithwaite went close for Ks cashing in on a defensive slip, but narrowly steering the ball wide of the far post.
With the game wide open Clunis had a shot saved at one end before Goather-Braithwaite had a another effort saved by Rowley. Goather-Braithwaite then set up Charlie Greenwood who was also denied by Rowley in The Wands goal.
Late on Cray pressed again, working really hard across the pitch, Wood had a shot saved and Clunis hit the bar from a tight angle, before Yahaya Bamba had a shot saved and Sodje drove an effort just over from the edge of the area.
In the end two goals were enough to see Cray remain in fifth place, two points in front of Lewes with one game left to play away at Haringey Borough next Saturday, The Wands knowing a win will see them secure a play off spot.
Both sets of supporters were left happy just after the full time whistle, when results elsewhere also ensured that Kingstonian had stayed up for another season.
CWFC – Rowley, Tanga, Sodje, Carter, Jones, Cook (Ijaha 56), Clunis, Bassett, Wood, Golding (Bamba 71), Olidapo (Sablier 82).
Subs Not Used: Derry, Campbell.
KFC – Tolfrey, Lewis, Adelakun, Adebiyi, Drage, Greenwood, Goather-Braithwaite, Abnett (Nyarko 59), Collins (Kandi 59), Solomon, Bangura (Bonnett-Johnson 71).
Subs Not Used: MacAallister, Anderson.
Goals: Sodje 11, Jones 47mins.
HT 1-0 FT 2-0
Att: 380
Referee: Will Briers