Cray Wanderers recorded their first win since November and their first league win since September with a very impressive performance against Heybridge Swifts at Hayes Lane on Saturday giving themselves a glimmer of a chance in their relegation battle.

The game got off to an open start before Cray had a good spell of pressure with Warren Whiteley and Chris Piper both going close before a series of corners saw Adrian Stone force two saves from Danny Sambridge with strong headers.

Swifts battled their way back in to the game with Nathan Simpson making a superb last ditched tackle on Joe Pearman.

Jack West shot just wide before forcing a save from Dean Gardikiotis with an effort that kicked up off the cut up Hayes Lane turf.

Later in the half West hit the bar with a cross shot from out wide but things evened out going into the break.

The second half both sides look to attack, Cray started to press when Whitely hit the bar with an effort from out wide, while Swifts striker West powered his way in to the box and hit a fierce short that Gardikiotis saved well.

Joe O’Ceariull and West went close for the visitors before Cray took the lead on a quick break up field. Orlando Smith set up Simpson on an overlapping run for the left back to send in a swirling cross that sailed into the back off the net at the far post with Sambridge stranded.

With The Wands now full of confidence they pressed for more and after a half cleared corner came out to Smith the debutant hit a superb volley from 25 yards out that crashed home just under the bar, capping a fantastic performance from the former Bromley winger.

With Heybridge unable to create anything and shut down at every turn by the super motivated home side there was only going to be one winner from then on and the victory was sealed on 82 minutes when Adrian Stone hit a powerful shot from 30 yards out that deflected off a Swifts defender leaving Sambridge with no chance.

Late on Heybridge did create a couple of chances but Gardikiotis made two comfortable saves from Pearman and Reece Morgan to keep a clean sheet and secure an absolutely vital three points.

Tommy Warrilow’s men will now look to continue the positive momentum when they face Thamesmead Town at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night in a local derby both sides will desperate to win.

On the evidence of today The Wands may just surprise a few teams in the remaining sixteen league games of the season.

 

Cray: D Gardikiotis, Fakinos, Simpson, Fitzgerlad, Stevens, Humphries, Smith, Piper, Ashikodi (Pass 85), Stone, Whiteley (Hill 71).

Subs Not Used: Springett, Marshall-Katung, A Gardihiotis.

Heybridge: Sambridge, Green, Barber, Hunter (White 63), O’Ceariull, West, Pearman, Gayle, West (Bently 78), Morgan (Cole 78), Hunt.

Subs Not Used: Barrett, Spriggs.

Goals: Cray – Simpson 61, Smith 71, Stone 84mins.

Ref: Mr D Sheldrake

Att: 82