Cray secured a third place finish in the Bostik league Division One South and home advantage in the play off semi final with a comfortable win over Guernsey at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon.
After an open start where both teams had corners and looked to attack, The Wands took the lead on 8 minutes when a deep Junior Dadson cross was cushioned down by Brandon Scott at the far post and driven home by top scorer Michael Power from eight yards out.
Scott was involved in most of Cray’s attacking threat in the first half, the winger setting up Karl Dent soon after whose low drive was well saved by Callum Stanton.
Cray went 2-0 up on 26 minutes when Barney Williams combined with Scott down the right to set up Dadson who coolly placed the ball past Stanton from ten yards out.
Guernsey still posed a threat going forward though, Ryan Zico Black firing wide and Tom de la Mare forcing a save from Nick Blue. After Scott had put a good chance wide for the home side, Guernsey were denied what looked a penalty when Marcus Evans fouled Paris Pereira as he ran into the box, but Referee Kissi warded a free kick on the line of the 18 yard area.
Zico Black’s free kick was then superbly tipped over the bar by Blue. Cray pushed on from there with Jay Leader glancing a header just wide from a Dent free kick and Power forcing a save from Stanton. Zico Black had another great free kick tipped over again by Blue, before The Wands made it 3-0 a minute ahead of the break when Kyron Farrell’s 25 yard shot deflected past Stanton into the corner of the net for 3-0.
In first half injury time Dent set up Scott, but the lively winger’s shot was narrowly off target.
The second half saw The Green Lions, who wore purple on the day, come back into things, but they just lacked the final touch in front of goal.
Dave Rihoy had a shot deflected wide and from the corner Alex le Prevost headed against the bar. Rihoy went close again and Matt Loaring shot wide, before Cray put the game beyond doubt at the midway point of the half when Scott set up Power with a great cross that the striker drove home netting his 100th goal for the club.
Jamie Dodd put a chance from a corner just wide of the net for the visitors, while at the other end Dent curled a shot just wide and Power came agonisingly close to grabbing his hatrick when Charlie MacDonald crossed for the powerful striker, but he drove the ball straight at Stanton in the Guernsey goal.
Late on Loaring put a chance over and Charlton Gauvain was denied by Blue, while Cray sub Michael Freiter missed two chances for The Wands at the other end.
In the end Tony Russell’s men saw the game out comfortably and they can now prepare for the play off semi final at home to Walton Casuals on Tuesday night.
Cray – Blue, Williams, Leader, Evans, Mundele, Scott, Dent, Farrell, Dawson, Dadson, Power.
Subs not Used: Rhule, Holloway.
Guernsey – Stanton, Tobin, Todd, Prevost, Fallaize (Dodd 40), De La Mare (Mahon 71), Rihoy, Pereira, Zico Black, Skillen (Gauvain 59), Loaring.
Subs not Used: Kelly.
Goals: Power 8 & 68mins, Dadson 26, Farrell 44mins.
Att: 202
HT 3-0 FT 4-0
Ref: Mr C Kissi