Cray recorded a vital win in their quest for the play offs with a display of guts, style and character against a resurgent Waltham Abbey in an entertaining game at a blustery Hayes Lane.

The Wands started the game on top with Aryan Tajbakhsh going close twice from the edge of the box and having a third chipped effort headed off the line.

Cray continued to be positive, but came up against a strong Abbey defence who worked hard to close them down. The Wands breakthrough came on 28 minutes when Ben Hunt was fouled on the edge of the box and former Charlton full back Grant Basey curled in a superb free kick just inside the far post for 1-0.

Waltham Abbey’s top striker Christian Asombalonga nearly evened things up straight after, but his free kick just went over the bar, before Cray continued to dominate.

Hunt set up Lea Dawson who fired narrowly wide, Hunt has an effort of his own saved by Aaron Omand, Tajbakhsh shot wide and Karl Dent forced another good save from Omand as Tony Russell’s men finished the half strong.

Cray started the second half in similar fashion and were 2-0 up on 50 minutes when Basey sent in a dangerous corner that fell to Hunt who coolly despatched his shot into the net from ten yards out.

Abbey responded with Nicky Blue forced into action to tip one Asombalonga effort over and save another low down to his left.

With the wind causing the ball to move unpredictably in the air Cray made better use of possession on the floor, sub Jamie Masckall hit a swerving effort that Omand saved well and was thwarted by the visiting keeper again soon after.

Dent hit a powerful drive just over after a great surging run down the left and Ray Powell hit another shot wide, before with six minutes left Abbey pulled a goal back with Asombalonga finishing off a fine solo effort that took him past three players and the keeper showing his undoubted quality.

Cray held out though and had the final chance of the game when Mascoll was denied by Omand in injury time.

This win was a great boost for The Wands with the only disappointment on the day being the crowd of just 74 paying spectators in attendance at what has been Cray’s home for the last eighteen years.

Next up Cray travel to Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday.

 

Cray: Blue, Osifuwa, Basey, Leader, Payne, Dawson, Roberts, Tajbakhsh (Powell 80), Hunt (Mascoll 59), Duckworth.

Subs Not Used: Faulkner, Smith, Lodge.

Abbey: Omand, Attard, Joynes, Downey, Wood, Robbins (Adelanyi 45), Daniel, Blackman, Asombalonga, Russell (Del Barrell 68), Okoh (Siddell 54).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Page,

Goals:  Cray – Basey 28, Hunt 50mins. Abbey – Asombalonga 84mins.

HT 1-0 FT 2-1

Att: 74

Referee: Mr R Whittaker