CRAY WANDERERS 1 AFC HORNCHURCH 0
Ryman League Premier Division, Saturday 6 February 2010
Report by Toby Shillibeer

With both Cray and visitors Hornchurch well into their longest running unbeaten streaks of the season (3 and 9 respectively) it was always going to be a tight game, made scrappy by a sticky pitch that grew worse over the ninety minutes.

Cray made one change to the starting line up, John Guest failed a last minute fitness test, and with winger Tyrone Sterling leaving, Hornchurch shaped up with a narrow 3-4-3 to counter the narrow style Cray have been playing.

Cray started brightly, a high Hornchurch line gave explosive strikers Marcus Cassius and Leigh Bremner the space to run at the defence. On 13 minutes, Bremner received a ball from an Aaron Day header on the half way line. He turned one defender on the half way line and, although being held, he continued forward. The linesman's flag was being waved for a foul on the striker but the referee played an excellent advantage. As Bremner burst inside the box and towards goal, past the final defender, he was tripped without much choice by the player. The referee pointed to the spot. Colin Luckett converted his 5th penalty of the season, into the bottom corner.

Cray defended well from numerous set pieces and continued to press. Bremner and Rob Quinn had efforts saved, and the corners caused the visiting defence problems, but they managed to hold out till half time.

Hornchurch started the second half strongly, with Pat Brennan making some good saves and being saved by the offside flag twice in the first ten minutes.

George Porter replaced Dean Standen, as he did in the away game at Waltham Abbey last week, and moved the right wing. This stretched the Hornchurch midfield and Cray started to dominate.

Bremner was tripped by the keeper, but going away from goal so nothing was given. As he appealed, Quinn had won the ball excellently in midfield and released Porter who, running at the defence, hit a low shot towards the bottom left corner, but it was tipped wide by the Hornchurch keeper.

Hornchurch then fired over from 12 yards as they wasted their first good chance of the game. Tthen Quinn again won a lose ball, Bremner released Cassius who was clear of the defence, spotted the keeper off his line, but misjudged his chip, and fired over the Norman Park end stand.

Dean Carpenter and Ross Lover corners were both met with headers, Mark Willy's was cleared off the line by the goalie and then Bremner saw his go past the far post via a defender.

This was a fourth win in all competitions in a row for Cray, a fourth clean sheet for Pat Brennan and the defence, a very strong run of results and performances, which has propelled Cray up the table and in a good position for survival.

Cray Wanderers: Pat Brennan, Ross Lover, Colin Luckett, Rob Quinn, Mark Willy, Arron Day, Dean Standen (George Porter), Tommy Tyne, Leigh Bremner, Marcus Cassius, Jamie Wood (Dean Carpenter).

Unused Subs: Steve Aris, Lewis Wood and Ian Jenkins.