DARTFORD 1 CRAY WANDERERS 1
Ryman Premier League, Boxing Day, 26 December 2009
Report by JERRY DOWLEN

Top of the table Dartford were forced to cling on for a draw as fifth from bottom Cray surprised them with a spirited display in the Boxing Day local derby in front of a bumper crowd of 1,306.

Mark Willy was commanding at the heart of the Cray defence, and he gave the visitors a deserved lead in the 27th minute, heading in a free-kick from Ross Lover who had a lively game in midfield.

Darts were level on 39 minutes when Jack Smelt spilled a fierce shot and substitute Danny Harris was on hand to put the rebound into the net.

Cray's front pairing of Leigh Bremner and George Porter gave the Darts problems all afternoon, and Lee Burns was sent off for hacking down Bremner in the second half.

Adam Flanagan starred in defence as ten-man Dartford came under increasing pressure from Cray in the closing part of the game.

Colin Luckett almost sealed a classy performance by netting a late winner for Cray straight from a corner-kick, but home 'keeper Andy Young just managed to  prevent the ball from crossing the line. 

Cray Wanderers: Smelt, Aris, Luckett, Quinn, Willy, Guest, Lover, J Wood, Bremner, Porter, Sterling (L Wood). Subs not used: Day, Goldsmith, Brennan, Standen.

This report will also appear in the local Bexley Times newspaper on
31 December 2009.