Cray recorded a morale boosting win over a very young Dulwich side at a sparsely populated Hayes Lane on Tuesday night earning a tie at Chatham or Sittingbourne in the next round.

The game got off to an open end to end start with Cray’s Dan Hughes forcing two saves from Phil Wilson while Henry-Francis denied by Charlie Grainger at the other end.

Irish under 19 International Steve Smith, on loan from Bromley, gave Cray some real drive in midfield and nearly scored with a fierce drive that just went wide.

Dulwich had a strong shout for a penalty when the lively Mansaray appeared to be pulled back in the box, but their appeals were waved away by Referee Dyson.

Soon after Vidal went close with a free kick and Mansaray fired just wide after a good run, but it was the home side who took the lead on 40 minutes.

Saunders slipped in possession on the edge of his own box and Wands striker Elyon Marshall-Katung pounced on the loose ball and coolly slotted the ball past Wilson to make it 1-0.

The second half saw Cray come out flying Jason Henry headed home a fine Rhys Coleman cross for 2-0 on 48 minutes and it was 3-0 on 52 minutes when Dan Hughes craftily lobbed Wilson from just inside the box.

Before Dulwich could respond Smith hit the bar only for Hughes to convert in the rebound with an over head kick for 4-0 on 56 minutes.

Finally the Hamlet youngsters forced their way back into things with Silvera, Henry-Francis & Walker having efforts saved by Grainger, but the best goal of the night killed the game off completely on 73 minutes when Smith sent a sublime long range effort sailing over Wilson from 35 yards to make it 5-0.

Late on Steven was denied by Grainger before former BromleyAcademy player Kristian Campbell pulled back a consolation goal for the visitors turning the ball in from close range after Grainger had parried a free kick, but this was Cray’s night.

Hopefully it will provide some kind of springboard to boost The Wands survival chances in the league.

 

Cray Wanderers: Grainger, Orome, Simpson, Talbot, Coleman, Smith, Sherratt, Stavrinou, Henry, Hughes, Marshall-Katung.

Subs: Day, Badron.

Dulwich Hamlet: Wilson, Myers, Campbell, Saunders, Okoye, Pinnock, Mansaray, Vidal, Henry-Francis, Moran, Walker.

Subs: Gonella, Mason, Lodge, Steven, Silvera.

Star Man: Steve Smith (Cray)

Match Rating: 3/5

Ref: Mr Dyson