Cray Wanderers first away trip of the season to Phoenix Sports ended in a goalless stalemate at the Mayfield Ground.

A very tight encounter saw few real chances in the game with Cray having much the better opportunities in the first half with Karl Dent’s effort coming back off the crossbar perhaps the nearest. The second half was a bit more even with Phoenix looking sharper but again Cray came closest to breaking the deadlock when Dent headed over from Brandon Scott’s cross and then hit a shot with Phoenix keeper Steve Phillips pushed round the post.

The result sees Cray after two draws with a couple of two points to start the season whilst Phoenix who won their opener at Ramsgate were probably content to wrest a draw from the game.

It was evident from the start that perhaps one goal was going to win this game with Phoenix beginning well with the pace of lively forward Jack Barham to the fore. Cray though looked to settle down and forced an early corner but chances were few and far between.

The first goal attempt came in 21st minute when Brandon Scott fired over the bar. This did quicken the pace slightly and Luke Medley blazed a shot well wide. A Dean Carpenter throw in down the right was hoisted into the area and Mitchell Nelson glanced a header towards goal which James Fitchett had to nod to his keeper.

Phoenix worked hard with experienced full back Ashley Probets having a good game but they didn’t make Nick Blue have to make any saves of note.

Cray kept pushing and looking the side most determined to break through and Bradley Stevenson curled in a shot from the left via Medley’s pass but his effort was deflected behind for a corner.

The best moment of the half came in the 38th minute when a throw in down the left was flicked on in the box by Mitchell Nelson and the ball fell to Dent who hit a shot from ten yards which crashed back off the crossbar.

Then Medley fizzed a cross from the right across goal with no one to get on the end of and the half ended with no goals.

The second half saw Phoenix come out a bit more and instantly threatened with Jack Hopkins firing in a shot which Blue had to get down to save. Cray had to make an early change with Carpenter being replaced by Frieter.

This was followed by Stevenson firing well over for Cray and for Phoenix, Dajon Golding did the same shooting wide.

Cray began to take a bit more a charge of the game with Dent again the man of the match. Firstly he made a strong run forward which ended with a shot which Phillips had to get down to save.

Then Barham down the right burst into the box and his ball across was met by Frankie Sawyer but couldn’t get enough direction on his shot to turn the ball into the neet.

Then from a throw in in to the box Dent got on the end of it and his effort was blocked by a defender.

The best opportunity of the half came in the 69th minute when a perfectly weighted cross from Brandon Scott to the back post was met by Dent who headed over the bar.

This was followed by another chance when Stevenson down the left played the ball across to Dent whose shot was pushed behind by Phillips.

Then with the tide still in Cray’s favour, Freddie Parker set up Barney Williams whose effort was saved comfortably by Phillips and then Stevenson did well to beat Fitchett for possession on the left edge of the area but shot well wide.

Phoenix did make the game hard and dug in and almost claimed a winner when substitute, Kweku Ansah cut inside from the left and his shot at the near post forced Blue to make his first serious save of the evening.

There was plenty of huffing and puffing in the last few minutes but with Phoenix more than content to take a point aside from a Michael Frieter free kick which was blasted over the top the game drifted towards a draw keeping both sides unbeaten after two games.

This was a game which perhaps needed an early goal to set it off but there was plenty of sweat and endeavour expended but one with defences on top.

 

Phoenix Sports: Steve Phillips (Capt.), James Fitchett, Ashley Probets, Conrad Lee, Danny Young, Terry Murray, Tony Robinson, Jack Hopkins, Jack Barham, Frankie Sawyer, Dajon Golding (Kweku Ansah, 72).

Subs: Ryan Andrews, Kelvin Ogboe, Lewis Mingle, James Boughtflower

 

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Barney Williams, Jay Leader, Mitchell Nelson, Lea Dawson (Capt.), Dean Carpenter (Michael Frieter, 47), Karl Dent, Luke Medley (Freddie Parker, 70), Brandon Scott, Bradley Stevenson.

Subs: Ken Charles, Timi Osidobu, Marcus Evans

Booked: Leader, Dent

 

Referee: Kane Dempster
Assistant Referee: Joe Dann-Pye, Nick Fruin

Att: 127