Cray Wanderers mini revival came to an end as Dorking Wanderers kept up their title challenge with a professional and at times impressive victory in the first ever meeting at Hayes Lane.

Cray came into the game on the back of two wins and looked to continue that momentum against their high flying opponents.  However an excellent first quarter of the game from the visitors saw Dorking Wanderers go two nil up with fine goals first from Tom Tolfrey after just eight minutes and then a tremendous free kick strike from Giuseppe Sole in the 22nd minute. 

Despite Cray’s best efforts they were unable to score a goal which would have made for a dramatic second half and Dorking Wanderers with a solid defensive display won the game and kept themselves very much in the battle for the Isthmian South title with Tooting & Mitcham United.

Dorking Wanderers started the game well and went in front after just eight minutes.  A throw in down the right from Dean Gunner was flicked on and the ball was cleared out to Tom Tolfrey who from twenty yards planted a fine shot into the bottom right corner of the net giving Nick Blue no chance to save.

Cray almost got back into it in the when Luke Medley played a ball forward down the left which led to a rare bit of indecision at the back and as keeper Slavomir Huk hesitated Danny Haynes stole in but from a tight angle Huk did well to block his attempted shot.

It was Dorking that scored the next goal in the 22nd minute after the award of a free kick twenty five yards from goal out on the right of the penalty area.  The experienced Giuseppe Sole stepped up and curled a tremendous strike into the back of the net to give Cray something of a mountain to climb.

Cray had efforts before half time from Lea Dawson which was blocked by a defender and from Luke Medley whose shot from distance was saved by Huk.

The second half saw few real chances created but Cray had the best opportunity when Medley down the left set up Brandon Scott inside the area but his shot was saved by the leg of Huk.  Then Anthony Adesite tested the keeper with a shot from thirty yards.

Dorking look a good side and comfortably held on to win and keep their title hopes alive and remain three points behind Tooting & Mitcham United.  Cray remain in tenth place in the table with four more games still to play.   

Cray:   Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Timi Osidobu, Antonio Lazzari (Jai McKInlay, H/T), Paul Lorraine, Lea Dawson (Capt.), Sean Roberts, Karl Dent, Danny Haynes (Brandon Scott, 40), Luke Medley, Lee Prescott (Anthony Adesite, 62): Subs: Zak Henry, Tyrone Guthrie 

Attendance:   138