Boosted by a bigger crowd thanks to the planning launch and free entry offer, Cray Wanderers recorded another impressive win against fellow play off challengers at Hayes Lane on Saturday with a stylish display of attacking football that took their unbeaten run in the league to fourteen games.
The game got off to an even start with play flowing from end to end, but no real chances created right up until the 19th minute when The Wands grabbed the lead. Brandon Scott’s run down the wing set up Aaron Rhule whose shot was parried by Will Godman into the path of Michael Power who drove home from a tight angle for 1-0.
Cray then had a good spell of pressure with Scott forcing a good save from Godman before they eventually made it 2-0 on 35 minutes. Zak Henry found Scott out wide and the winger ran into the box at pace taking the ball around the keeper and slotting it home to double the home side’s lead.
For the final ten minutes of the half though it was Hythe who asked all the questions. Mitchell Chapman’s run set up Dave Cook who shot narrowly wide, then Ben Wilson hit the side netting with a free kick, before Sidney Sollis hit the bar from 25 yards. Cray’s luck held out though and they went into the break still two up.
Hythe continued to press from the start of the second half and pulled it back to 2-1 on 47 minutes when sub Kieron Campbell raced through the home defence and coolly slid the ball past debutant keeper Andy McCorkell and into the corner of the net.
The goal seemed to spark Cray back into life though, Henry had a powerful shot saved by Godman before the keeper was then on hand to tip over Michael Freiter’s free kick.
From the resulting corner Lea Dawson had a header cleared off the line and Power then was denied by Godman soon after. With The Wands still pressing they finally made it 3-1 on 58 minutes when a Freiter corner saw Godman punch the ball into his own net under pressure from Dawson, who raced away claiming the goal.
Scott was denied by Godman when one of one and Power chipped the ball wide before the game took a more ugly turn. There were two ugly scuffles between a number of players from both sides, the second one resulting in Hythe sub Jerson Dos Santos being sent off for clashing with Henry off the ball.
Once things calmed down Power had a speculative volley saved for Cray while the visitors’ Ryan Palmer hit the post. Late on Freiter had an effort saved before Mitchell Nelson made a vital block to deny Dean Grant.
The Wands sealed the fine victory on 90 minutes when Jerome Frederico ran clear and beat Godman one on one before rolling the ball home for a superb goal to make it 4-1 to Tony Russell’s team.
Cray now sit fourth in the table and will hope to continue this fine run of form on Wednesday night when they entertain Sittingbourne at Hayes lane.
Cray: McCorkell, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Dawson, Henry (Carpenter 85), Freiter, Rhule (Lawrence 81), Scott (Frederico 77), Power.
Subs Not Used: Evans, Parker.
Hythe: Godman, Aboagye, Wilson, Johnson, Dickenson, Johnson-Palmer, Cook, Webster (Dos Santios 59), Grant, Sollis (Palmer 59), Chapman (Campbell 45).
Subs Not Used: Thomas, Phillip.
Goals: Cray – Power 19, Scott 35, OG 58, Frederico 90mins. Hythe – Campbell 47mins.
Att: 398
HT 2-0 FT 4-1
Ref: Mr M Marsh