Cray Wanderers 0 v 2 Walton Casuals

Ryman League Division One South

Report by Jerry Dowlen

CRAY conceded two late goals and ended on a very subdued note at Hayes Lane.

Depleted in attack because of injuries, the Wands were never likely to have a comfortable evening and it was the visitors who got most of the free-kicks as the two teams slugged it out in midfield.

Nevertheless, the Wands mustered some decent chances to score starting on 23 minutes when Ross Lover lifted the ball into the goalmouth, Richard Brady helped it on, and Lewis Wood's shot was just reached by the keeper.

At the other end Carley brought a great save from Steve Northwood after right back Hinds forced the ball into the goalmouth, and shortly afterwards Gale's shot was pushed out by Northwood with the rebound being scrambled to safety.

Cray had two near misses just before the interval.

Jamie Kempster struck the bar and then, after a good passing move, Colin Luckett's shot was tipped over by Reed.

After the break there was little goalmouth action until Gale missed a sitter from a Walton breakaway.

After bringing on Barry Gardner and Danny Whelan, the latter to play up front, Cray began to apply some pressure and Lover's free-kick was met by Julian Curnow with a header which dropped over the bar.

Whelan met Gardner's low cross but his first-time shot was pushed round the post.

Ironically, just when the momentum seemed to be with Cray at last, the visitors capitalised on a poor clearance and Carley got away on the left, measuring his cross for Gale to tap in easily on 77 minutes.

Walton were lifted by this and the game was slipping away from Cray long before Carley drilled home a penalty-kick on 82 minutes after Hinds had been floored as he burst through from the right.

MATCH FACTS:

CRAY WANDERERS: Northwood, Hall (Gardner, 62), Luckett (Young, 89), Lee, Curnow, Morris, Lover, Kempster, Brady (Whelan, 70), Graham, L Wood. SUBS NOT USED: Eather, Beauchamp.