CRAY became the first team to book a place in this season’s semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup, with a workmanlike 3–1 win on a heavily-sanded Hayes Lane pitch.

Ashford’s travelling faithful saw their team put up a spirited display that included taking the lead in the 24th minute. Cray were temporarily down to ten men after Ross Lover had taken a knock, and a curling shot from Chris Borchescu found its way into the net after he let fly from deep on the right.

Cray drew level just before half time when Marcus Cassius cut through the Ashford defence from the left, and his low cross led to a scrambled goal by Lewis Wood – his 50th for the club.

Ashford thought they had regained the lead moments later, but with two visiting forwards bearing down on him, Cray keeper Pat Brennan was adjudged by the linesman to have prevented the ball from crossing the line.

Porter put Cray ahead in the 47th minute after forcing his way through on goal.

Cray stayed in command and it was all over in the 90th minute when Porter was played in on the left side of the penalty-area and his shot cannoned into the net off the far post.

The Wands are at home to Wealdstone in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday (3pm).

Cray: Brennan, Moncur, Lover (Luckett 30), Bellamy, Guest (Willy 60), Day, Cassius, Boateng, L Wood, Bremner (Quinn 48), Porter.

Cray are at home to Wealdstone in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday (3pm).