Pre-season football returned to Hayes Lane as Cray Wanderers hosted Welling United.

Both teams tried to work each other out in the early stages and neither side tested their opposing goalkeeper seriously before the mid-half drinks break.

George Porter had a shot claimed by the Welling trialist goalkeeper then another Wings trialist had a shot saved by Shaun Rowley.

However, soon after the mini-break, Frankie Raymond came close for Cray with a free-kick which flew inches over the bar. Raymond then had an even better chance to put hosts ahead.

An awkward back-pass put Welling’s goalkeeper under pressure and he was adjudged to have fouled former Wing Porter as he attempted to clear.

Raymond took the responsibility from the spot but the Welling goalkeeper made a great save pushing it onto the post. It came out kindly to Raymond but he blasted over from close range.

Will Wood shot wide of the far post for Welling before the hosts broke the deadlock. Nyren Clunis drew another fine save out of Welling’s custodian but it fell to former Scunthorpe United striker Louis Collins and he finished clinically.

Both teams made changes at the break with Cray substituting everyone other than Crowley. Welling changed all eleven of their starting line up.

Again the teams spent a long while finding each other out. Tom Derry headed wide and Anthony Cook sent a free kick well over. At the other end, another Welling trialist shot wide.

As the game moved into the last fifteen minutes Cray doubled their lead with a highly contentious goal. Sam Woods sent a raking long range pass down the right wing but despite appearing to be well offside, Cam Thompson was allowed to continue.

Even he seemed surprised that the flag didn’t go up and he took full advantage with an outstanding finish.

Thompson drew a good save out of Welling’s second half trialist goalkeeper before the Wings scored their first pre-season goal with three minutes remaining. A trialist found space in the penalty area and finished crisply.

Cray Wanderers first half: Rowley, Mascoll, Black, Raymond, Holland, Campbell, Clunis, Rye, Collins, Porter, Trialist.

Cray Wanderers second half: Rowley (King 70), Taylor, Trialist (Ihiedi 70), Wood, Trialist, Trialist, Cook, Ijaha, Derry, Thompson, Evans.

Goalscorers: Collins 39, Thompson 76

Welling United first half: Trialist, Lema, Trialist, Wood, Dickenson, Trialist, Papadopoulos, Vaughan, Trialist, Odusanya, Trialist.

Welling United second half: Trialist, Lugboso, Trialist, Trialist, Olomowewe, Curran, Trialist, Andrews, Trialist, Lisbie, Trialist (Muwonge 80).

Goalscorer: Trialist (87)

Referee: Laurence Torz-Brown

Assistants: Dane Johnson and Alexis Stacchini

Attendance: 271

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.