Cray Wanderers playoff hopes took a knock as they went down to defeat against a very pacey and clinical Walton Casuals side at Church Road.

The Wands who had won their first two games of 2017 including an impressive 2-1 win up at Hastings on Saturday started the game well with new signing Luke Medley up front and went one up through Karl Dent’s goal after eleven minutes before Walton turned the game around before half time to lead 2-1 with goals by Malachi Hudson and Jack Sammoutis.

The second half was just as keenly contested but a third goal for Walton in the 69th minute from a free kick by Jordan Cheadle gave them breathing space and this was followed by a fourth goal once again from Sammoutis four minutes later and the game was then won.  The Wands saw Lee Prescott sent off with seven minutes to go before top scorer Gabriel Odunaike made it five in the last minute.  Cray remain ninth in the Isthmian South league table whilst Walton move up to  seventh, four points ahead of the Wands.

Cray got off to a flying start and Medley saw a shot saved by Walton keeper Denzel Gerrar and Danny Haynes flashed a shot just wide.  Their positive start was rewarded after eleven minutes when Medley’s strike was parried by Gerrar and Karl Dent was on hand to guide the ball into the net. 

The Wands couldn’t build on that though and ten minutes later, Walton levelled after a slick passing move saw Malachi Hudson played through and he tucked the ball past Nick Blue.

Brandon Scott had a good chance to give Cray the lead again but shot just over the top before the home side went in front four minutes before half time when Jack Sammoutis took advantage of the Wands struggling when Ben Mundele went down after a challenge to take the ball round Blue and shoot Walton in front.

The game was fairly even in the second half with Medley coming close again for Cray before Walton made it 3-1 in the 69th minute when Jordan Cheadle drove home a free kick from twenty five yards.

Walton now got on top and Sammoutis scored his second in the 73rd minute following a left wing cross and Cray’s evening got worse when Lee Prescott was sent off for a sturdy challenge in midfield with seven minutes to go.

The scoring was completed in the last minute when Gabriel Odunaike made it 5-1 which was quite a harsh scoreline on the balance of play but Walton were very clinical with their finishing and Cray couldn’t capitalise on such a great start to the game.     

Cray:   Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Jey Siva, Jay Leader, Sol Taiwo, Lea Dawson (Capt.), Sean Roberts, Karl Dent, Danny Haynes, Luke Medley (Lee Prescott, 76), Brandon Scott Subs:  Dane Luchford, Paul Lorraine, Timi Osidobu, Jai McKinlay

Attendance:   51