Cray Wanderers continue to lead the Isthmian League North after a third straight victory at Romford put them five points clear of AFC Hornchurch on 51 points. 

After a scrappy opening, the match came alive in the 27th minute when the home side took the lead when goalkeeper Nick Blue couldn’t hold a George Woodward free kick and Jake Giddings following up put Romford ahead. 

Romford’s lead lasted just two minutes as Cray levelled when Grant Basey put over a great free kick which was met by a downward header from an unmarked Ben Payne.

Cray went ahead in the 32nd minute when from a corner Basey put over another superb ball towards the near post which was glanced powerfully home by Nathan Fox for his first goal for Cray.

Cray dominated the rest of the half and in first half stoppage time, Aryan Tajbakhsh picked up a loose ball, strode forward and fired home a great strike from 25 yards to make it 3-1 at the break.

There were fewer chances in the second half although Ben Hunt came close for Cray with a crisp volley and Andre McCollin fired just wide.

Romford did pull a goal back in the last minute of the game when Chinedu McKenzie scored from close range but Cray managed to hold on for another vital three points. 

 

Cray:   Blue, Osifuwa, Basey, Fox, Payne (Vines), Roberts (Capt.), Tajbakhsh, Frieter, Hunt, Bremner, Duckworth:  Subs:  Powell, Dent

 

Att:      77