After last season’s relegation and a difficult start to their first campaign in Ryman League Division One North consisting of three defeats and three red cards, plus the departure of Club Captain Alex Stavrinou last week, Cray Wanderers finally found their feet against Barkingside at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

Keith Bird’s side went into the game bottom of the table, while their visitors from East London were seventh with six points from three games, but in an entertaining match The Wands came out on top.

Cray started the game in positive fashion with Ishmael Welsh firing wide and Ian Daly having a shot deflected wide, but it was the visitors who took the lead with their first attack on 10 minutes.

Barkingside broke quickly from defence with Steve Carvell having a shot saved by Nick Taylor only for John Bricknell to smash home the rebound.

Carvell went close soon after as the momentum appeared to have switched, but Cray battled back with Welsh’s pace a constant threat down the left. Former Irish Under 21 player Daly had two efforts deflected wide and hit the post with another , before The Wands deservedly equalised on 36 minutes when Cesc Fakinos’ free kick was knocked down by Dimitri Larin for Pat O’Conor to drive home.

Late in the half Barkingside had a strong spell of pressure and a shout for a penalty  after a goalmouth scramble, but Cray held out.

The second half saw Barkingside start strongly with Calvin Poku off target with two efforts and Taylor saving another, but again The Wands fought back.

Dan Stubbs and Daly again had efforts saved by Chris Clark, before Daly put the home side in front on 61 minutes. The striker latched on to a long ball and showed great control before slotting the ball past Clark for 2-1.

O’Connor hit the post soon after and Stubbs missed a good chance, but the game remained open and both sides created chances.

Richard Oxby was just off target with efforts from long range for Barkingside, before they equalised on 84 minutes when Carvell latched on to a loose pass and coolly slid the ball past Taylor for 2-2.

Cray’s response was instant though with Daly bringing down a long ball taking it past the keeper and rolling it home for 3-2.

Poku hit the post and had another shot saved by Taylor as the visitors pressed for another equaliser, before The Wands sealed the win in injury time when O’Connor broke up-field and lobbed the ball over Clark for 4-2 from 25 yards.

This was an enthralling game, which Keith Bird’s men deserved to win and which will hopefully kick start their season.

 

Cray: Taylor, Fakinos, Springett, Lye, Dynan, Larin, Stubbs, P O’Connor, Welford, Daly Welsh.

Subs: T O’Connor, Beckett, Fitzgerald, Stone, Behcet.

 

Barkingside: Clark, Hayes, Callaway, Ellul, Ellis (Taylor 77), Oxby, Poulios, Bricknell (Fontaine 68), Carvell, Gulfer, Poku.

Subs: Oreti, Georgiou, Pitman.

 

Goals: Cray: Pat O’Connor 36 & 90, Ian Daly 61, 85mins.

Barkingside: John Bricknell 10, Steve Carvell 84mins.

 

Referee: Mr S Kay

Star Man: Ian Daly (Cray Wands)

Match Rating: 4/5

Att: 86