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RYMAN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH—SATURDAY 5 JANUARY 2008
MATCH REPORTER: JERRY DOWLEN
Cray were pushed back for long spells of this game, but a tenacious performance saw them grind out a win – their first ever against Leatherhead. Cray hadn’t beaten the Surrey side in any of the previous ten meetings between the clubs since 2004.
Before kick-off, the Wands’ injury count was not quite as dire as expected. Michael Power and Jamie Wood were found to be recovered from the Chatham game, and there was a return for Ross Lover who had missed two matches after being withdrawn at half time versus Dover on 15 December.
Even so the Wands had to bring in 17-year old reserve ‘keeper Jack Bradshaw for an emergency debut, after learning that Glen Knight had joined Danny Chapman, Mark Willy and Lewis Wood on the injured list.
Bradshaw held early shots from Marshall and Gibbs as the Tanners were first to threaten in a scrappy opening period of play.
Cray’s first chance was gifted to Jamie Wood when the visitors made a defensive mistake in the 19th minute, but ‘keeper French managed to push his shot round the post.
Three minutes later Cray took the lead when a long throw-in from Aaron Day landed in front of Lover and he bundled the ball into the net.
Jamie Kempster sent a 30-yard shot fizzing wide after a great Cray move, but Bradshaw was the busier goalkeeper and made some well-timed excursions from his goal to snatch the ball when danger loomed.
Steve Aris and Michael Power were both in the wars in separate incidents before half time. On both occasions the Wands temporarily had to play with ten men but they managed to hold on to their lead.
A superb long-distance diagonal pass from Power gave Tyrone Sterling a through run at goal from the left, but his attempted lob over the stranded French went wide.
On the stroke of half time Sterling went close again but his shot was half-blocked and the ball went behind for a corner-kick.
Leatherhead pushed forward from the restart, and but were denied by two vital clearances by Day on the goal-line. The second one seemed to happen in slow-motion as Day’s saving header saw the ball bounce on top of the crossbar and then drop into the goalmouth where Bradshaw grabbed it in the nick of time.
French saved well from Power on 57 minutes and there was another scare for the Tanners when Wood drilled in a low cross from the left but the ball eluded the best efforts of Kempster and Ryan Royston to apply a finishing touch.
At the other end Bradshaw bravely blocked a shot from Martin in a one-on-one after the ex-Cray striker broke through the Wands defence in the 63rd minute.
Power demanded another good save from French in the 66th minute, and the resultant corner-kick brought Cray’s second goal. A huge scramble developed in front of the goal and Royston cleverly backheeled the ball into the net.
Leatherhead continued to dominate possession but Gibbs headed wide from their best chance.
On any other day the MOM award could well have gone to any of Cray’s magnificent back four, with Royston in particular having another immense game for the Wands. Quite rightly though the Wands supporters gave young Bradshaw the vote. Praise must also be given to young Tom Whitnell for his vigorous contribution when sent into action for the last fifteen minutes of the game. He is the reserves’ leading goalscorer and he has an evident hunger to score goals for the first team too.
Cray’s unbeaten run is now extended to thirteen games.
Cray Wanderers: Bradshaw, Day, Luckett, Hall, Aris, Royston, Lover, Kempster, J Wood (Whitnell 75), Power (Fenwick 86), Sterling. Subs not used – O’Rourke, Morris, Knight.
Supporters’ MOM – Jack Bradshaw
Attendance: 172.
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