Cray Wanderers moved up to fifth in the Isthmian South league table after an exciting victory against in form Corinthian Casuals at Hayes Lane. 

Cray came into the game unbeaten in six whilst Casuals picked up 16 points in September with Wands in eighth and Corinthian Causals in fourth, two points in front of Cray.

Two goals from Aaron Rhule, a free kick special from Karl Dent and a Michael Power strike gave Cray a four nil lead by the 62nd minute before goals from Malachi Robinson and Reyon Dillon reduced the arrears.

The first half began in cagey fashion but the Wands broke the deadlock in the fifteenth minute with a fine, well worked goal.  Karl Dent played the ball out to the right to Jerome Federico who took on Robinson to whip over a cross to the far post where Rhule rose unchallenged to head into the net via the crossbar.

Cray had chances to score through Marcus Evans and Lea Dawson whilst for Casuals Jack Strange headed wide.

The next goal would prove vital in the game and it came five minutes before the break when Dent struck a well executed free kick over the wall and into the bottom right corner of the net.

Before half time, Nick Blue had to make a fine stop to deny Mu Maan’s free header and the Wands went in 2-0 up at the break.

The second half was even more exciting and Dent tested Casuals keeper Danny Bracken before scoring a third on the hour.  Again great work by Dent who strode down the right and laid the ball across to Rhule who tapped in from seven yards for his second of the game.

Two minutes later it was 4-0 when Dean Carpenter found Federico again down the right and played in Michael Power who swept home a clinical finish.

Casuals though are a durable side and they kept on going and pulled a goal back in the 64th minute when Max Oldham’s right wing cross was turned in at the far post by Robinson.

Ten minutes later it was 4-2 as Jordan Clarke down the left worked his way into the area to set up Dillon for a close range finish.

This led to a frantic last quarter of an hour and Blue had to be at his best to push round Josh Uzun’s free kick with five minutes to go but Cray had done enough to pick up a big three points and keep up their excellent form.   

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Barney Williams (Ben Mundele, 67), Dean Carpenter, Jay Leader, Marcus Evans, Lea Dawson (Capt,), Zak Henry, Karl Dent, Michael Power (Michael Frieter, 76), Aaron Rhule (Anthony Adesite, 88), Jerome Federico:  Subs:  Kyron Lightfoot, Mitchell Nelson

Att: 148