Cray Wanderers produced an excellent performance to defeat in form Herne Bay at Hayes Lane.  This helped follow on from Wednesday’s victory against Dartford  in the Kent Senior Cup and helped to fully restore confidence following the unlucky defeat to Lewes the previous Saturday.

Michael Power was in great form and claimed a hat-trick and his first league goals since returning to the Wands from Phoenix Sports in the summer.

Herne Bay arrived in great form having won their last four league games and a run to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.  Cray though never really let them settle and got off to a whirlwind start.

The Wands almost took the lead in the 3rd minute but Karl Dent was denied by a superb one handed stop from Herne Bay keeper, Ben Hunter.

However, two minutes later Cray were in front when Ben Mundele worked his way into the box down the left and was upended by Joshua Wisson for a penalty.  Power stepped up to give Cray the perfect start.

The Wands almost scored again when Power saw a shot deflected behind and then Marcus Evans headed over from a corner.  Herne Bay threatened and Junior Efosa Aikhionbare saw an effort well saved by Nick Blue and Jake Embery saw a shot blocked by Jay Leader.

Power came close to scoring twice more before getting the opportunity of a second penalty kick when he played in Dent who was brought down by Hunter in the 34th minute.  Power scored again and was his third successful spot kick of the week.

Power steered an effort wide just before half time but claimed his hat-trick with a superb finish from Dean Carpenter’s pass in the 55th minute and calmly placed a shot wide of Hunter from the edge of the area to basically seal the game.

Cray almost scored a fourth but first Romario Hart saw an effort bravely saved in a one on one with Hunter, Michael Frieter curled a shot wide and Freddie Parker hit a shot which was tipped round the post.

Herne Bay kept on going and had a couple of opportunities second half with Tom Carlton denied by Blue and Jake Embery turned the ball over the bar from close range.  The visitors did pull a goal back with the last kick of the game when Nassim Dukali’s cross was turned in by Embery but it was way too late to affect the outcome.

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Barney Williams, Timi Osidobu (Romario Hart, 27), Jay Leader, Marcus Evans, Lea Dawson (Capt,), Dean Carpenter, Zak Henry, Michael Power (Freddie Parker, 70), Karl Dent, Ben Mundele (Michael Frieter, 34):  Subs:  Joe Vines, Tiwa Fujamade

Att 166