Cray continued their unbeaten pre-season showing great character and resilience to peg back an impressive young Orient side who twice took the lead in an entertaining game at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

With several new faces on display, lining up 4-3-3, Cray started the game brightly with Grant Basey having a free kick blocked and Lea Dawson firing the rebound just over the bar.

The O’s went in front though on 5 minutes when Patrick Adamson played in Steven Alzate who coolly slotted the ball past Nicky Blue to put the East Londoners in front. Orient’s passing and movement were a joy to watch at times, but Cray showed real strength at the back to keep them from extending the lead.

Tristian Abrahams had a shot blocked by Jai McKinley, Sam Dalby forced two saves from Blue and Abrahams then had an effort tipped over as The Wands were pegged back.

Late on in the half Cray did create some chances when Danny Haynes crossed for Joel Ledgister who put a great chance wide of the goal from close range, Haynes fired a Karl Dent cross over and then had a shot saved after latching on to a great ball from Taylor McDonagh.

Orient started the second half on top, Dalby forced a save from Blue, Abrahams & Dan Happe were also denied by the home keeper before The Wands rallied again.

Dawson headed over from a set piece before they drew level on 58 minutes when a strong run from Haynes eventually saw the ball come to Dent who scored with a sweet finish low into the corner from the edge of the box.

Parity only lasted four minutes though as The O’s opened up Cray with a slick passing move converted in style by Abrahams past the advancing Blue.

Changes to both teams halted any momentum in the game for a while before Dalby was denied by another good save from Blue at one end and then Cray broke quickly up field with Anthony Adesite superbly rolling the ball past Sam Roach from 20 yards out to level things up.

Late on The O’s had three chances to win the game, but Teddy Perkins, Michael Clarke and Dalby were all off target.

This was an encouraging performance from Tony Russell’s side who passed the ball well and looked to have some real pace and quality in attack. Next up The Wands travel to Glebe on Friday night.

 

Cray: Blue, McDonagh, Basey, Leader, McKinlay, Dawson, Roberts, Taiwo, Ledgister, Deny, Haynes.

Subs: NJie, Adesite, Mundele, Osibodu, Lorraine.

Orient: Roach, Tayaca, Stevenson, Ochieng, Mclean, Happe, Alzate, Barker, Abrahams, Dalby, Adamson.

Subs: Janata, Adeboyago, Sotirlou, Clarke, Perkins, Alderson.

Goals: Cray – Dent 58, Adesite 79 mins. Orient – Alzate 5, Abrahams 62 mins

HT 0-1 FT 2-2

Att: 157