Despite missing the services of Michael Power, Karl Dent and Ben Mundele Cray maintained their 100% record in the league just edging out Hythe in a seven goal thriller at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon to make it 18 points from their opening six games.

The game started with Cray taking the attacking initiative, Aaron Rhule’s turn and run ended with a fine save from George Kamurasi in the visitors’ goal. The wet conditions saw the ball skid along the 3G surface and Town nearly took the lead soon after when Charlie Webster’s low driven shot was well saved by Nick Blue.

The Wands continued to press with their quick passing football and they got a break through on 14minutes when Bradley Pritchard’s corner was powerfully headed home by Jay Leader from six yards out. Zak Ansah nearly drew Hythe level seconds later, but his shot on the turn turn flew just wide.

Seven minutes later Cray were 2-0 up when Freddie Parker received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area and turned sharply before curling home his shot past Kamurasi in off the foot of the post. Tom Phipp fired narrowly wide as The Wands continued to attack, but they were dealt a huge blow on the half hour when Rhule was forced off injured after a foul by Nathan Daly. Hythe came to life as an attacking force when Kieron Campbell got into the game and the winger pulled a goal back for The Cannons on 31minutes when he finished off a great run into the box with a deflected effort past Blue at his near post.

A minute later Hythe were level catching Cray cold again with Campbell setting up Chris Kinnear to equalise from close range. Cray got going again in the final ten minutes of the half and were denied what looked a clear penalty when Mitchell Nelson was hauled to the ground at a corner sustaining an injury that also forced him off just after the break. The final chance of the half though fell to Hythe when Ansah played in Nigel Neita but his shot was well saved by Blue.

The second half took a while to get going with Nelson limping off and his replacement Marcus Evans also requiring treatment after a heavy challenge from Kinnear, which saw the Hythe defender booked. Around the hour mark The Wands started to press again with Jerome Frederico hitting the far post with a deep cross and then setting up Parker who shot wide.

Archie Johnson was denied by Kamurasi after a great solo run from deep, but the pressure finally paid off when a corner was only cleared as far as Sean Roberts who fired low through a crowded area into the corner of the net from 20 yards out to make it 3-2. Dadson linked up with Parker before Kamurasi denied him one on one and Phipp had an effort saved before Hythe made Cray pay for missed chances when they drew level again on 80 minutes.

A deep ball from Neita found Ansah who raced clear to coolly finish past Blue to level the scores. The Wands continued to push though still sensing there was another chance to take the lead and they nearly did when a free kick was headed against his own bar by Kinnear! From the resulting corner though, Cray did take the lead again, when Pritchard once again found Leader who headed home from six yards out to make it 4-3 on 87minutes.

The big centre back finding space in a busy area and guiding the ball high into the net.  Hythe pressed again looking to find another equaliser, but the nearest they came was when Aziz Lioubi sent a fierce ball across the face of Cray’s goal, but no one was able to make contact as it skidded off for a goal kick.

This was a fantastic game of football between two very good sides who look capable of being up near the top all season. Cray Wands manager Tony Russell will now have to assess the injury situation of a number of players as he prepares his squad for their home game against Whyteleafe at Hayes Lane on Wednesday night looking to carry on The Wands impressive start to the league campaign.

Cray: Blue, Williams, Johnson, Leader, Nelson (Evans 47), Pritchard, Roberts, Phipp, Frederico (Solebo 90), Rhule (Dadson 31), Parker. Subs not Used: Henry, Onwuachu.

Hythe: Kamurasi, Kistu, Lyoubi, Kinnear (Shadow 87), Daly, Dickenson, Sammoutis (Aikhionbare 60), Webster, Ansah, Neita, Campbell. Subs Not Used: Palmer, Negus, Owen.

Goals: Cray – Leader 14 & 87mins, Parker 21mins, Roberts 68mins. Hythe – Campbell 31mins, Kinnear 32mins, Ansah 80mins.

HT 2-2 FT 4-3

Att: 208

Referee: Mr I Fissenden

Report: Colin Head.