In this battle between Ryman One North and South, Cray progressed through to the next round of the Trophy with an impressive win over Kent rivals Faversham in an open and entertaining match at a sunny Hayes Lane that wasn’t decided until the final minute. 

Cray started the game on top playing some good attacking positive football, Shaun Welford shot wide and Rory Hill fired over early on while Faversham posed a threat on quick breaks from defence and it was the visitors who registered the first shot on target when Darren Behcet saved from Jack Harris.

The Wands continued to press though and after Welford had headed wide it was the veteran striker who set up Adrian Stone to bundle the ball over the line at the second attempt on 35 minutes from a yard out.

Late on in the half after a rare mix up in the home defence Dean Grant missed a great opportunity to equalise when he blazed over from just inside the box.

The second half was even more open with Stone missing a good chance for Cray while Faversham created a lot more chances with Stanford just off target, Grant forcing a saved from Behcet and Harris shooting wide.

Cray battled back into things after the hour mark with Stone off target, Hill forcing a save from Simon Overland and Welford heading wide.

Sub Kerry Kedze set up Welford who shot wide, before Faversham had strong late spell which tested the resolute home defence marshalled by Danny Lye.

Matt Bourne headed a free kick over for the visitors before Cray broke quickly up field and Welford drove the ball past Overland for 2-0 on 89 minutes despite the best efforts of a Faversham defender to clear the ball which just crossed the line.

The visitors threw everything forward in injury time and were duly picked off when Hill broke away and after a powerful run slipped his shot under Overland to make it 3-0 at the final whistle.

This was a fine display from a resurgent Wanderers which follows on from their London Senior Cup success in the week and they now taken their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.

Next up for Cray is the visit of Ramsgate on Tuesday in the Kent Senior Cup.

 

Cray: Behcet, Fakinos, Patterson, Lye, Humphrey, Phillips (Isa 40), Hill, Daly (Williams), Welford, Stone, Welsh (Kedze 80).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Springett.

Faversham: Overland, Maxted, Bewick, Monger, Bourne, Scarborough, Wilson, Botterill (Oliver 60), Harris, Grant, Stanford.

Subs Not Used:  Brown, King, Russo, Rogers.

Goals: Cray – Stone 35, Welford 89, Hill 90+mins.

Ref: Mr Packman

Att: 131

Match Rating 4/5

Star man: Shaun Welford (Cray)