Cray won their way through to the next round of the FA Trophy with a slightly flattering 4-1 win over Moneyfields at a blustery Hayes Lane on Wednesday night, with the visitors hitting the woodwork three times.

The Wands got off to a bright start with some nice approach play, but it was Moneyfields who had the best early chance when Ryan Pennery fired over when well placed from ten yards out.

Cray continued to press with Brandon Scott having a one of one saved by Steven Mowthorpe and then Michael Freiter put the rebound wide.

Michael Power then hit the foot of the post from twenty yards before they finally broke the deadlock on 15 minutes,

Mitchell Nelson converting a corner from six yards. Dean Carpenter and Scott went close again, before the visitors had two efforts well saved by Nick Blue first tipping over a Pennery chip and then stopping a powerful free kick from Sam Pearce low down at the right hand post.

Cray started the second half well despite playing into the fierce wind, but they were pinned back on 51 minutes when Blue’s poorly struck kick fell to Pennery who smartly chipped the ball over the home keeper to equalise from a tight angle.

The Wands rallied from there, Power had a shot saved before a great run from Ben Mundele ended with Freiter striking a deflected shot past Mowthorpe for 2-1 on 55 minutes.

The game went from end to end with the wind playing a significant role, at one stage a Mowthorpe goal kick went the entire length of the pitch and off for a goal kick at the other end. Nathan Paxton was denied by Blue for the visitors and Scott had a cross cleared off the line at the other end as things really opened up.

Daniel Wooden had a chip cleared off the line by Nelson before Cray surged up field through Scott who was knocked to the ground by Louie Martin in the box for a penalty. Power tucked away the spot kick to make it 3-1 on 70 minutes.

Moneyfields then had another good spell, Pearce hit the post with a well struck free kick, Jake Raine hit the bar from 25 yards and Pennery then hit the post from the rebound before The Wands finally cleared the danger.

Joseph Briggs went close for the visitors, but then Cray dominated the last few minutes, Power hit the post before Aaron Rhule was upended in the box for The Wands’ second penalty, which Power comfortably stroked home for 4-1 on 86 minutes.

Late on Freddie Parker put a header wide, but Tony Russell’s side had already done enough to progress on to the final qualifying round.

The Wands now travel to Braintree Town of National League South in the next round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, their sixth game in the competition this season.

 

Cray: Blue, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Henry (Evans 82), Carpenter, Freiter, Power (Parker 87), Scott (Lawrence 79), Rhule.

Subs Not Used: Frederico, Lightfoot.

Moneyfields: Mowthorpe, Martin, Ford, Fennemore, Poate (Paxton 34), Pearce, Briggs, Raine, Pennery, Wooden (Seiden 90), Bailey.

Subs Not Used: Austin, Smith, Glen.

Goals: Cray – Nelson 15, Freiter 55, Power 70 & 86pens. Moneyfields – Pennery 51mins.

Att: 139

HT 1-0 FT 4-1

Ref: Mr N West