Cray show promotion class to beat Bury (From News Shopper)

Cray show promotion class to beat Bury

12:34pm Sunday 11th December 2011 in Cray By Jerry Dowlen

Cray cemented their promotion credentials with some quality football that saw off rivals Bury Town by 2-0 at Hayes Lane.

Cray moved up to sixth place on an afternoon that was marred by a shoulder injury to centre half and skipper Mark Willy, and a red card for Chris Saunders after his strong tackle on Craig Nurse twelve minutes from time.

After twenty minutes the corner-kick count was six-nil to Cray, and Tommy Whitnell had brought two good saves from Marcus Garnham.

Sam Long fired over the bar for Cray, but the visitors had their chances during the end-to-end early play, with Billy Clark shooting wide and John Sands missing the target with a header from Mark Coulson's cross.

Cray went ahead on 34 minutes when Chris Saunders fed Leigh Bremner on the left, and he advanced into the box before crashing a shot in off the underside of the bar.

Tyrone Sterling's timely tackle prevented Sands from netting an instant equaliser, but the first half ended with Willy being taken to hospital after a mid-air collision with Sam Reed.

Bury's early pressure in the second half saw Reed turn in the crowded goalmouth and slam a shot inches wide of the post.

The Wands had a two-goal cushion when Bremner was brought down and Whitnell sent a precision penalty-kick past Garnham in the 58th minute.

Whitnell was inches away from scoring Cray's third as the home side continued to play their attractive passing football.

After that Bury were twice denied by Andy Walker's saves, and sent three shots over the bar from promising positions in front of goal.

Cray: Walker, Long, Bentley, Day, Willy (Young 46), Sterling, Whitnell (Perkins 84), Saunders, Bremner, Phillips, Clark. Subs not used: Dolby, Hall, Power.

Cray are away to Wingate & Finchley next Saturday (3pm).