Cray Wanderers advanced to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2020-21 past Wingate & Finchley after David Smith’s goal just before half time set up a home tie with Hastings United on 28th September.

In a game of few chances, Wingate & Finchley edged the first half hour but Cray stuck to their task well and the decisive moment came in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Imran Kayani set up David Smith to stroke home his first goal for the Wands. 

Cray were more on the front foot in the second half and coupled by some stoic defending saw out the half well to move on to a 3rd Qualifying Round home tie for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

The two sides had met on Saturday and drew 1-1 after David Ijaha’s header for Cray was cancelled out by a Ogo Obi penalty in the 93rd minute setting up a replay in North London on a still night under the lights.

For Cray there was one change to the starting lineup from Saturday with David Smith in for Anthony Cook.  Wingate & Finchley made four changes with Toby Byron, Mathew Achuba, Andronicos Georgiou and Zack Newton coming in for Ben Frempah, Luke Deslandes, Destiny Oladipo and Michael O’Donoghue.

The match began with Wingate & Finchley dominating possession and won a handful of corners in the opening exchanges but Cray were able to repel the attacks with some solid defending.

The first real shooting chance fell for Cray in the 15th minute when down the left David Smith cut inside and curled a shot just past the right post.

Two minutes later, Wingate & Finchley were awarded a free kick down the right of the penalty area and Ogo Obi’s shot was pushed round the left post well by Shaun Rowley.

The home side continued to threaten and win corners and Obi down the left of the area saw an effort blocked by Rowley and behind. From the corner the ball came to Obi who put the ball in the net but was disallowed for offside.

For Cray, Frankie Raymond set up Nyren Clunis for a shot wide and as the half progressed the game became a more even affair although Anthony Cook came on for Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera in the first minute of added on time.

With the game looking like being goalless at the break, Cray took the lead with the last attack of the half when Imran Kayani did well to break from the right and set up Smith who finished with great aplomb to get off the mark for the Wands.

HT:  0-1

Cray began the second half on the front foot and looking to increase the lead but it was the home side who almost levelled when Obi latched onto a back pass and into the area down the left but Rowley blocked the shot and the ball bounced of Obi and over.

For Cray, Anthony Cook set up Charlie Edwards who fired over but again Wingate & Finchley went close when a cross by Ayo Tanimowo was headed against the bar by Obi.

The Wands though rode that miss well and played well and controlled the match for the last half hour.  Smith shot wide and Nyren Clunis fired over and then a free kick out on the right from Frankie Raymond came back off the right post via a save from Charlie Grainger.

Then a cross from Cook down the right to the far post came to Clunis whose shot was blocked by Grainger.  This was followed by another cross from Kayani which fell to Smith whose effort was blocked by Grainger but a foul was given on the keeper.  

Cray were defending well and Darion Dowrich going forward was a constant threat while Kenny Coker covered every blade of grass and worked hard and held the ball up well. Defensively, Tom Bonner and David Ijaha were outstanding with Charlie Edwards superb once again in midfield.

Chances were few and far between in the latter stages.  Kayani down the right saw a shot deflected behind for a corner. Coker saw a cross-shot blocked and then Edwards fired over.

Although the home side stuck at it and hung in the game, Cray were able to see out the remaining minutes in a professional manner and made their way through to what should be a great tie against Hastings United in the 3rd Qualifying Round at Flamingo Park as the Wands look to reach the 1st Round for the first time.

Wingate & Finchley: Charlie Grainger, William Cracknell, Toby Byron, Mathew Achuba, Bobby Webb, Arthur Iontton (Luke Deslandes, 42), Rhamar Garrett-Douglas (Destiny Oladipo, 74), Andronicos Georgiou, Ogo Obi, Zack Newton (Tommy Roberts, 83), Ayo Tanimowo.

Booked: Achuba 43, Georgiou 68, Webb 90+5

Cray Wanderers: Shaun Rowley, Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera (Anthony Cook, 45+1), Darion Dowrich, David Ijaha, Tom Bonner, Frankie Raymond, Charlie Edwards, Nyren Clunis, Kenny Coker, David Smith, Imran Kayani.

Subs not used:  Quade Taylor, Lateef Adaja, Dontai Stewart, Arezki Hamouchene, Tom Borders.

Scorer: Smith 45+4

Booked: Clunis 41, Edwards 75

Referee: Ross Murphy

Att:  149