Cray crush Bromley

12:45pm Wednesday 27th February 2008

Cray Wanderers 6-1 Bromley

THE tenants comprehensively beat the landlords in a local derby semi-final that the Wands will remember for a long time, but their Conference South opponents will want to forget as quickly as possible.

After an even start to the game it was Bromley who nearly drew first blood, but Glen Knight blocked Jason Henry's shot with his knee.

Michael Power made no mistake when put clear on goal to give Cray the lead after 14 minutes.

There were controversial moments when referee Mr Mason refused two Bromley claims for a penalty-kick, one for a trip on Danny Hockton and one for handball by Mark Willy.

In-between, Ross Lover's shot struck Jack Haverson's hand but Cray's penalty-kick appeal was also turned down.

Cray grabbed a vital second goal on the stroke of half time, thanks to a Steve Aris glancing header from Ross Lover's inswinging free-kick.

Bromley's player-manager Simon Osborn brought himself on as substitute to try and gee his side up after the break, and this soon brought a period of strong pressure from the Lilywhites.

Hockton headed against the post and a thunderous shot from Gareth Williams was well held by Knight.

Sam Wood's superb solo run and shot brought the score to 2-1 in the 57th minute, but it was the Wands who raised their game again and rattled in four late goals to leave the cup holders dumbfounded.

Jamie Kempster popped up to head Lover's cross into the net after 66 minutes, and a minute later another defence-splitting Cray move ended with Adam Cottrell tapping in from Power's well-placed pass.

Lewis Wood cracked in a penalty-kick after a foul on Dean Morris in the 75th minute, and George Fenwick completed the rout with a cool finish after collecting a through pass from Lover.

Cray will meet the winners of the Margate versus Ebbsfleet United semi-final with the date and venue to be arranged.

Cray: Knight, Cottrell (Hall 85), Luckett, L Wood, Willy, Day, Lover, Kempster, J Wood (Morris 68), Power (Fenwick 68), Aris. Subs not used: Whitnell, Sterling.

Bromley: GI Williams, Corneille, Glover, Wilson, Haverson, Henriques, Henry (Osborne 46), L'Anson, Hockton, GA Williams, Wood. Subs not used: Bowry, Douglin, Duo, Davis.

Attendance: 535

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