Cray Wanderers continued their excellent form with a crushing victory over East Grinstead Town at the GAC Stadium.

This was their first ever win over the Wasps and they achieved it in some style with a slick performance on and off the ball and after an early own goal gave them the lead proceeded to have six different players on the scoresheet.

The Wands took the lead when ex-Cray player Steve Springett put through his own net following Aaron Rhule’s cross in the 12^th minute.  The home side tried to rally but Ben Mundele scored a fine individual goal in the 27^th minute to extend the lead and then Mitchell Nelson headed in from Michael Freiter’s free kick to leave Cray 3-0 up at the break.

On a soggy afternoon the second half seemed to get wetter but Cray continued to push forward in the search for goals and grabbed a fourth when Brandon Scott struck home a fine finish from the edge of the area.  The Wands could even afford a missed penalty from Freiter’s spot kick was well saved by Dan Smith.

This didn’t deter the Wands and substitute Ralique Lawrence made it 5-0 in the 79^th minute and then Freiter scored a goal he deserved seven minutes from time.  The scoring was completed with another penalty award when Freddie Parker made it 7-0.

From the side which drew at Moneyfields in midweek there were three changes to the starting linuep.  Barney Williams came in for Dean Carpenter, Michael Frieter for Karl Dent and Brandon Scott for Jerome Federico.

East Grinstead Town started the game in 22^nd place but won an important game at Shoreham on Tuesday night so came in with a positive result.

On a grey, wet and murky November afternoon, the game started with Cray on the front foot but the first real goal attempt came from East Grinstead when Jordy Mongoy picked up the ball down the left and cut inside to fire in a shot which was fielded well by Nick Blue.

Cray’s passing was very accurate early on and almost took the lead when a cross field pass from Mitchell Nelson found Aaron Rhule down the left who took on a defender and put over a cross which was cleared away by Drew Cooney before a Cray forward could get to the ball.

However Cray opened the scoring when Rhule made a run with the ball from half way and ran down the left into the area and squared the ball across and Steve Springett under pressure from Michael Freiter could only turn the ball into the net.

East Grinstead came into the game a little and Oshaye Giraud Hutchinson made a strong run down the right and drove in a cross shot which Blue did well to hold at his near post.

Cray though were playing with great assurance and confidence and almost grabbed a second in when Scott saw an effort deflected behind for a corner and from the kick the ball came to Jay Leader who headed wide.

Then in the 24^th minute Scott made a trademark run from off the right touchline, beat a couple of defenders and found himself in the area with a shooting opportunity but elected to unselfishly pass the ball to Rhule on the edge of the six yard box who turned the ball against the crossbar.

That was a temporary reprieve for the home side as three minutes later it was 2-0 when Nelson found Ben Mundele out on the right who beat a couple of players to cut inside and from just outside the area in a central position placed the ball with great precision pas the despairing dive of Smith.

Cray continued to cause problems for East Grinstead and the Wands scored a third goal in the 36^th minute.  The Wands were awarded a free kick out on the left twenty five yards out from goal.  Freiter who has a fine delivery from set plays whipped over a perfect cross which found the head of Nelson who from six yards turned the ball into the net via Smith’s attempt to save.

The Wands went in at the break 3-0 up and looking in complete control of the match.

 

Half Time:  0-3

 

Cray continued to look sharp in a very wet second half and four minutes into the half, scored a well worked fourth goal.  Leader found Rhule out on the left who in turn found Freiter who laid the ball across and Power let the ball run to Scott who crashed home a fine shot from fifteen yards.

The home side were well out of the game by this stage and the best they could find in retort was a shot from Ollie Gill who shot over the bar.

Another Freiter free kick caused problems as Smith had to push away as Power looked to follow up.  Then Scott saw a shot deflected behind.

In the 68^th minute Cray had the opportunity for a fifth when Rhule who was in great form burst through on the counter attack and into the area and was brought down by Karn Miller-Nieve for one of the more obvious penalty kicks.  However, Freiter stepped up to take the kick but his kick although well hit was met by a good save from Smith diving to the left.

Cray scored their fifth goal eleven minutes from time and once again East Grinstead had problems tracking the Wands wingers and substitute Ralique Lawrence cut inside from the left, across the penalty area and fired in a shot which maybe took a slight deflection which deceived the keeper and into the net.

At this stage, East Grinstead seemed to lose heart and in the 83^rd minute, Cray scored a well worked sixth goal when Barney Williams whipped over a cross which was controlled and fired into the net by Freiter.

There was still time for Ralique Lawrence to test Smith with a curling shot which he did well to push round the post for a corner.

The final action of a ruthless performance came in the 90^th minute when Mundele down the right was brought down by Mongoy for a second penalty award.  This time Freddie Parker made no mistake from the spot.

This was an impressive win and performance from all the team and one which should feature highly in the performance of the week awards.  Tony Russell’s team perhaps are under the radar a little but lying in fourth place on 34 points, six behind the leaders Corinthian Casuals and four behind second place Lewes but with a very impressive goal difference of +24 means they are very much in the mix at this stage of the season.

The midfield were excellent again today with Lea Dawson and Zak Henry outstanding and Rhule and Scott were in blistering form throughout the game.  The defence were a constant threat from set plays and didn’t put a foot wrong all match.

They next turn their attention to Wednesday night’s FA Trophy replay with Moneyfields hoping to keep up the momentum.

 

 

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Barney Williams, Jay Leader, Mitchell Nelson, Lea Dawson (Capt,), Zak Henry, Michael Freiter, Michael Power (Freddie Parker, 66), Aaron Rhule (Jerome Federico, 76), Brandon Scott (Ralique Lawrence, 67).

Subs not used: Marcus Evans, Dean Carpenter

 

East Grinstead Town:  Dan Smith, Oliver Boulding, Karn Miller-Neave, Callum Wilson (Luke Tan, H/T), Drew Cooney (Capt.), Steve Springett, Will Hoare, Malik Onwugbonu (Michael Wilson, 73) Ollie Gill, Oshaye Giraud Hutchinson (Luke Miller, 73), Jordy Mongoy.

 

Booked:          Boulding, Miller-Neave

 

Referee:          Barrie Small

Assistant Referees:  Robert Walczak, Paula Wyatt

 

 

Att:  81