Buoyed by the decision over their new ground on Tuesday, Cray ended their recent dip in form with a vital win over fellow play off challengers Whyteleafe at Hayes Lane on Wednesday night with a superb team performance that took them back up to fifth in the Bostik league Division One South.

The game got off to an open start with both teams looking to attack, but it was The Wands who grabbed the early advantage when they took the lead on six minutes.

A second consecutive corner from Karl Dent was met by Cray Captain Lea Dawson who powerfully headed home from six yards out. Cray doubled their lead only three minutes later when Junior Dadson set up Zak Henry whose shot was deftly flicked past Whyteleafe keeper Kyle Merson by Charlie MacDonald in a crowded area.

The Wands nearly made it three soon after when Dadson crossed for Arron Rhule, but the young winger just failed to get enough on the ball at the far post.

Whyteleafe rallied from there Vance Bola fired wide after a great ball from Anton Douglas before they pulled a goal back on nineteen minutes when Bradley Simms hit an unstoppable shot from thirty yards out that gave Nick Blue no chance as it flew into the net to make it 2-1.

Dawson and Dadson both saw powerful efforts well saved by Merson and Dent fired over from distance as Cray looked to increase their lead, while at the other end Dawson was on hands to clear Simms goalbound effort off the line after the full back had taken the ball past Blue on a tricky run into the box.

Tommy Hutchings went close for Whyteleafe as they pressed for an equaliser, but it was Cray who had the final say in the half when another Dent corner found Dawson who hit a sweet half volley past Merson from ten yards out to make it 3-1 at the break.

The second half saw Cray start the brighter, Rhule latched on to a great ball from Dent, but clipped his chance wide of the goal and Dadson hooked the ball over from a free kick.

Dent went close with a free kick soon after as The Wands pressed and Rhule hit the side netting after a strong run into the box. At the other end Blue made a good save from a powerful Bola shot inside the box and Williams made a superb saving tackle to deny Tom Pearson when he was well placed to shoot.

Bola put another chance over for the visitors after an uncharacteristic slip from Ben Mundele, but it was Cray who got the key goal on seventy six minutes when sub Brandon Scott took the ball to the bye line before cutting it back to Dadson to drive the ball home for 4-1.

This was Dadson best game for The Wands since joining in January and his growing confidence was clear to see. Simms set up Lanre Azeez late on for Leafe, but Blue saved again and The Wands sealed the win in injury time when Williams played in Dadson who ran 40 yards with the ball past several defenders before coolly finishing low into the corner of the net to make it five.

Cray return to action at Hayes Lane on Sunday against Horsham looking to kick on from this fine display and make sure of booking their place in the post season.

 

Cray – Blue, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Dawson, Henry, Dent (Freiter 77), Rhule (Scott 66), Dadson, MacDonald (Power 73).

Subs Not Used: Farrell, Evans.

Leafe – Merson, Simms, Douglas, Graham, Scarborough, Simone, Areez, Ibrahim, Bola, Hutchings (Clayton 62), Pearson (Asante 83).

Subs Not Used: Hegarty, Clothier, Eze.

Goals: Cray- Dawson 7 & 39, MacDonald 9, Dadson 76 & 90mins. Leafe – Simms 19mins

Att:  158

HT 3-1 FT 5-1

Ref: Mr R Classen