|
RYMAN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH—SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2007
MATCH REPORTER: JERRY DOWLEN
Cray did their best work in the first hour of a low key encounter with newly-promoted Chipstead.
Cray dominated the visitors from the kick-off and had all the early chances, starting in the 2nd minute when Michael Power homed in on goal. Instead of shooting he tried a square pass, but the ball didn’t reach his strike partner George Fenwick.
Given abundant time and space to knock the ball around, Cray could almost count their ‘keeper Glen Knight as an outfield player, so often did they involve him in their passing moves.
Fenwick headed wide from a Jamie Wood cross, Lover fired over the bar and the stand roof, and then a hobbling Fenwick tried a volley that lobbed up into Parkinson’s hands.
Fenwick thankfully seemed to run off the injury, and was on hand to net Cray’s first goal in the 22nd minute.
Chipstead’s defence was wooden when Colin Luckett chased and caught a pass that everyone else thought was rolling out of play for a goal-kick.
Parkinson reacted to block the Cray defender’s close-range shot, and Andrew Wareing booted the loose ball out of the goalmouth.
Chipstead hadn’t escaped from danger, for Ross Lover returned a low cross from the left, and a clever dummy by Wood left Fenwick with an easy tap-in.
Cray swarmed forward again, and Ryan Royston’s cross was met by Mark Willy at the far post, but this time Chipstead survived a low cross in front of their goal.
A rare Chipstead attack saw Patterson cross dangerously from the right, but Cray dealt with the threat and were soon pressing at the other end again.
Lover’s snap-shot went wide and so did an effort from Power after he carved his way through from the left.
Chipstead’s only real chance of the first half arrived on 42 minutes when Reid met Cole’s free-kick from the right but planted his header well wide.
Wood’s volley nearly gave Cray their second goal in the 50th minute after a good lay-off by David Hall.
Chipstead had started the second half more strongly, but they were punished for losing the ball on the halfway line after 52 minutes.
The alert Fenwick sent a first-time pass into the path of Power, who raced away and kept his cool to shoot past Parkinson.
Hall might have made it three but his shot hit Parkinson in a one-on-one.
Lover sent a hook-shot narrowly wide of the far post, and Wood saw a screamer deflected wide after the ball was rolled back to him from a corner-kick.
Cray by now had lost some momentum after replacing their two front men Fenwick and Power who were both feeling the effects of heavy tackles.
Chipstead gave Cray some defending to do, but Royston and Willy held firm in the centre and a dipping shot from Head went just too high for the Surrey side with seven minutes left on the clock.
Junior Baker shot weakly at Parkinson when an inviting chance fell to him, and then came another good run by Hall, and this time he got the ball past Parkinson but only into the side-netting.
Cray Wanderers: Knight, Day, Luckett (Sterling 64), Chapman, Willy, Royston, Lover, J Wood, Fenwick (Baker 74), Power (L Wood 66), Hall. Subs not used – Matthews, Curnow.
Supporters’ MOM – Ross Lover.
Attendance – 107
* Cray have signed Steve Aris, an experienced defender ex-Tonbridge Angels and former captain of Fisher Athletic.
|