Cray Wanderers extended their winning run to three games with another impressive victory over local rivals Phoenix Sports at Hayes Lane on Wednesday night.
The game got off to a quick paced start with The Wands creating early chances, Karl Dent set up Michael Power whose shot was saved at the near post by Steve Phillips before they got their breakthrough on 10 minutes.
Dent sent over a deep cross from a short corner that was headed towards goal by Jay Leader and turned over the line by Power.
Cray continued to press from there, Aaron Rhule set up Power who was denied by Phillips and the Sports keeper was also on hand to deny Lea Dawson soon after.
Phoenix’s first chance came halfway through the half when Ashley Proberts’ free kick was headed just over by Richard Seixas.
Zack Henry then went close for Cray before Power made it 2-0 on 27 minutes as the number nine controlled a long ball from Nick Blue and crashed it home past Phillips from 25 yards.
Marcus Evans was on hand to deny Jack Barham as Phoenix look to come back into things, but going into the break The Wands carried on pressing.
Debutant Jerome Frederico had an effort saved, Power had a shot deflected wide and Barney Williams fired over.
The second half started with Phoenix having more possession, but they couldn’t find a way through The Wands defence and any momentum they built was halted in unfortunate circumstances when Tony Robinson was carried off due to a serious leg injury after a lengthy delay for treatment.
Just after the hour Cray came back into things, Leader headed over a Dent corner and Power hit the bar before the match went into a scrappy spell.
Late on in the half Dent and Carpenter went close, then Rhule set up sub Kyron Lightfoot who was denied by another good Phillips stop.
At the other end Evans made a superb saving tackle to deny Barham when he looked set to score for the visitors and Cray cashed in on this in injury time when Freddie Parker surged into the box before unselfishly squaring the ball to Lightfoot who rolled the ball into the net for 3-0.
Five minutes into injury time Phoenix pulled one back when Proberts curled in a stylish free kick from 25 yards out with the final kick of the game.
This was another good performance from Tony Russell’s side, despite still missing several players through injury, moving up to seventh in the table ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy game at home to Horsham.
Cray: Blue, Williams, Carpenter, Leader, Evans, Dawson, Henry, Dent (Freiter 90), Power (Parker 90), Rhule, Frederico (Lightfoot 74).
Subs Not Used: Adesite, Vines.
Phoenix: Phillips, Lee, Proberts, Wright, Young, Robinson(Sawyer 62), Odboe, Hopkins, Barham, Seixas, Ansah (Golding 80).
Subs Not Used: Byron, Fitchett, Murray.
Goals: Cray – Power 10 & 27mins, Lightfoot 93mins. Phoenix – Proberts 95mins.
Att: 118
HT 2-0 FT 3-1
Ref: Mr S Scott