Cray Wanderers started the 2024-25 Isthmian Premier League season with an impressive victory at Hashtag United as the Wands won away from home on the first day of the season for the first time.

The win was hard earned and had to soak up pressure especially in the first half after a flying start for Cray who went in front in the 4th minute when Frankie Raymond saw his penalty saved but followed in the rebound from six yards.  Cray were indebted to the excellence of Shaun Rowley on his 100th club appearance and made good saves to deny Darren Foxley twice and made a superb save to push Sakiraya Hassan’s penalty onto the left post.  The second half saw Cray more on the front foot and Charlie Edwards hit the crossbar and Nyren Clunis shot over but with a minute to go, the Wands scored a second goal as Darion Dowrich’s cross was helped on to substitute Dontai Stewart who hit an acrobatic over the shoulder volley into the top left corner to seal the win.

There was an optimistic mood from both teams before the game with the Wands and Hashtag starting life in new grounds and the home side were playing their first league game at Aveley’s impressive Parkside ground. 

On a mild if slightly blowy afternoon, Cray gave league debuts to left back Darion Dowrich who was with Glebe last season, Quade Taylor previously with Corinthian Casuals, Lateef Adaja a former Bromley Academy player who was with Potters Bar Town, David Smith signed from Folkestone Invicta, Charlie Edwards from Canvey Island and Kenny Coker from Norwich City.  On the bench were Dontai Stewart who comes to the Wands from Dover, former Millwall Academy graduate Arezki Hamouchene and Bradley Ryan from Erith Town.

Cray got off to a good start and Edwards saw an early shot blocked and in the 4th minute were awarded a penalty when Smith was brought down by Quba Gordon.  From the spot, Frankie Raymond’s shot was pushed out by Jack Giddens but following up from six yards stuck away the rebound.

Hashtag responded positively and Darren Foxley saw a shot from outside the area tipped over well by Rowley and then Sakariya Hassan saw his backheel cleared off the line by Quade Taylor.

In the 15th minute Hashtag had the chance to level when Hassan was adjudged to have been clipped just inside the area down the left by Adaja but from the spot his shot was superbly pushed onto the left post by Rowley capping a great centurion performance.

Cray were defending a bit deep and Hashtag continued to go forward and from a break, Toby Aromolaran set up Foxley down the right who saw his shot from the edge of the box well held by Rowley.

Before half time Cray looked to score a second and Nyren Clunis made a run forward and found Smith whose shot was blocked.  For Hashtag, Hassan shot wide and Camilo Restrepo down the left saw an effort from a tight angle hit the side netting.  The last action of an entertaining half saw Dowrich who had an exceptional game down the left set up Smith whose effort was diverted behind by Jack Giddens.

HT:  0-1

The second half saw Cray beginning to gain control of the game and gave a classic away performance after the break.

In the 53rd minute Cray were unlucky not to score a second when Charlie Edwards, another star performer on the day hit a rasper which crashed against the crossbar and following up Clunis fired over.

Then, Dowrich’s cross came to Clunis whose first time shot was blocked and soon after a cross was flicked on for Kenny Coker whose effort was deflected behind for a corner.

Dontai Stewart was introduced half way through the half and Dowrich set up Edwards for a shot over the top.

The Wands were defending resolutely with David Ijaha, Tom Bonner and Quade Taylor protecting Rowley well and with the exception of a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas and corners Hashtag were not able to create a clear chance.

For Cray, a free kick played into the area was volleyed over by Smith before Anthony Cook on his 35th birthday came on for the last few minutes.  Then Dowrich saw a low shot held.

Cray though were finishing the game well and in the last minute sealed the win when a left wing cross was helped across to Dontai Stewart who hooked home an unstoppable shot on the turn to make it 2-0.

In the end, Cray saw out the remaining minutes to claim three points away from home and a clean sheet on the opening day of the Isthmian Premier season for the first time.

There were a number of great performances from the likes of Bonner, Edwards, Dowrich, Smith and Taylor but perhaps just edging the man of the match was Rowley who produced a masterclass of goalkeeping.

The Wands next face Cray Valley PM on Tuesday evening in the first ever league game at Flamingo Park and can go into the game with confidence.

Hashtag United:          Jack Giddens, Nathan Smith (Joshua Rusoke, 79), Ayo Olukoga, Harry Haysom, Sakariya Hassan (Pedro Carvalho, H/T), Misha Djemaili, Toby Aromolaran (Alex Bolovan, 70), Camilo Restrepo (Max Cornhill, 63), Jermaine Anderson (Matthew Wooldridge, 63), Quba Gordon, Darren Foxley

Booked:           Haysom 16, Restrepo 35

Cray Wanderers:         Shaun Rowley, Darion Dowrich, David Ijaha, Quade Taylor, Tom Bonner (Archie Johnson, 90+1), Lateef Adaja, Charlie Edwards (Anthony Cook, 86), Frankie Raymond (Arezki Hamouchene, 90+1), Nyren Clunis, Kenny Coker (Dontai Stewart, 67), David Smith.  Sub:  Bradley Ryan

Scorers:           Raymond 4 mins, Stewart 89

Referee:          Gareth Burton

Assistants:       Terence Dawkins, Paul Stadden

Att:       221