After one of the most memorable weeks in the 156 year history of Cray Wanderers, the 46th and final league game of the season ended all square as the Wands and in form Maldon & Tiptree shared the points in an entertaining match at Hayes Lane. 

Cray started the game very well and Mike Frieter and Jamie Mascoll both went close in the opening exchanges.   Maldon had won their last five league games and came close when Sam Newson headed against the foot of a post and then dragged a shot wide when played through by Adam Mills.

Cray took the lead on the half hour when from a corner down the left, the ball fell to Aryan Tajbakhsh who rifled home a cracking volley from 20 yards which crept past keeper Shaun Phillips.

Maldon were the better side in the second half and Darren McQueen fired over from a good position.  They levelled the scores in the 64th minute when Tarryn Allarakhia turned on the edge of the box and struck a fine finish past Faulkner.  

A lively last twenty minutes saw opportunities at both ends, with Allarakhia hitting the post for Maldon and for Cray, Mascoll’s drive was tipped behind by Phillips.   

Cray finished the season in 4th place and enter the Isthmian League North Playoffs on Wednesday night with a trip to Harlow Town in the semi final in a bid for promotion in Tony Russell’s first season as manager.

Cray:   Faulkner, Cox (Bremner), Basey, McKinlay, Payne (Leader), Dawson (Capt.), Tajbakhsh,  Dent, Frieter, Duckworth (Powell), Mascoll:  Subs: Roberts

Att:      140