Cray Wanderers moved up to fourth place in the Isthmian South league table after an exciting game against Horsham at Hayes Lane saw seven goals despite the absolutely freezing conditions and the Wands second home win of the week.

The two sides had met twice during the season in league and cup with the Wands winning the last meeting 8-0 in the FA Trophy in October.  An expected repeat of that afternoon was unlikely and in the first 20 minutes the cold probably was winning the day with Horsham maybe coming closest when Steven Metcalf fired wide.

In the 21st minute Cray went in front with a well taken goal when Barney Williams made a strong run down the left and his ball into the box found Junior Dadson whose shot was blocked by keeper Josh Pelling but following up Charlie MacDonald was on hand to fire into the net.

Cray hadn’t created many chances in the first half but in the 37th minute went two nil up from the penalty spot.  Zak Henry ventured forward and played a fine ball through to MacDonald down the left who strode into the area and was brought down by Joseph Shelley.  MacDonald scored his second of the game and his ninth goal for Cray Wanderers with a composed finish.

Five minutes before half time the Wands scored a third goal  when Ben Mundele played in MacDonald who cushioned the ball to Dent who shot into the bottom right corner of the net from the edge of the area to make it 3-0.

Horsham pulled a goal back two minutes later when from a free kick out on the left Worrall’s cross into the area was met by Blue but couldn’t get enough purchase with his punch and the loose ball was turned into the net by Alfie Rogers.

It was 3-1 at half time and it then looked like Horsham were going to threaten a comeback when Shelley’s pass found Darren Boswell who cut into the box and was fouled by Mundele for the second penalty kick of the game. George Landais scored his ninth league goal of the season to give Horsham renewed hope.

Cray came close to scoring through Lea Dawson and Dent but in the 75th minute Cray restored a two goal advantage with a classy goal worked down the left by a determined run from Aaron Rhule and his ball across was despatched with great panache by Dadson for his third goal of the week.

With the game virtually over there was still time, three minutes into stoppage time for Horsham to score their third goal of the afternoon. They were awarded a free kick down the right and Matt Axell’s ball into the box was thumped home by the head of Lewis Hyde to perhaps put a bit of a flattering gloss on the scoreline but certainly Horsham had make it 4-3 but there was no time to restart the game.

Cray move up to fourth on 75 points and next travel to 2nd placed Corinthian Casuals on Saturday three points behind although Casuals do have a game in hand.

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Barney Williams, Jay Leader, Mitchell Nelson, Lea Dawson (Capt.), Zak Henry, Karl Dent (Kyron Farrell, 73), Charlie MacDonald (Michael Power, 76), Brandon Scott, 60), Junior Dadson: Subs: Marcus Evans, Tiwa Fujamade

Att:  164