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EASTBOURNE TOWN 1 CRAY WANDERERS 2 Ryman League Division One South—Saturday 16 February 2008 Report by Peter Goringe.
For all but the last few minutes, Cray enjoyed a comfortable afternoon in the sunshine on the Sussex coast. But, as the sun set in the closing stages, there was a danger that the Wands’ victory spoils might go west as well.
In truth, Cray should have been out of sight long before Eastbourne’s late rally. The gulf in experience was plain for all to see as the Wands dominated proceedings from the start.
Cray’s crisp passing and well-timed challenges gave the home side’s youngsters the runaround. And this was despite fielding a makeshift midfield missing Danny Chapman (injured in the warm up), Ross Lover and Jamie Kempster.
Lewis Wood almost opened the scoring on 7 minutes, but Greg Nessling got fingertips to his powerful shot. There was frustration, too, for Michael Power, who headed against the post following a corner.
But Power soon broke the deadlock. After 24 minutes, he was allowed time and space to pick his spot from 15 yards, giving Nessling no chance.
Cray couldn’t turn their superiority into further first-half goals, though the home ‘keeper had to be at his best just before the interval when he dived to his right to save Jamie Wood’s deflected shot.
Tommy Whitnell worked hard all game for the Wands and he got his reward ten minutes after the break. Chasing what appeared to be a lost cause, he managed to hook the ball into the net, as the ‘keeper and centre-back dithered.
Cray lost Day and Power to injury in quick succession and should have conceded after 66 minutes. A quick Eastbourne break split the Wands’ defence for the first time in the game. Glen Knight made a scrambling save and the ball fell invitingly to the hapless John Piercy who blasted an easy chance over the bar.
Eastbourne were beginning to see more of the ball, but Cray continued to create bucketloads of chances. Nessling half-saved a Colin Luckett shot that was then cleared off the line and he excelled himself to tip over when substitute George Fenwick was on target, heading on with his back to goal. And Whitnell put a reflex header over from almost under the bar.
It seemed Cray might rue these misses when Eastbourne’s prolific striker Liam Baitup headed home after a good right wing move. The tide turned briefly as the home side sensed the possibility of snatching a point, but they were unable to produce anything more to threaten the Cray goal.
The Wands skillfully ensured that the sands of time ran out for Eastbourne, who picked up two late yellow cards as their frustration got the better of them.
Cray Wanderers: Knight, Day (Cottrell, 59), Luckett, Morris, Willy, Royston, Whitnell, Aris, L. Wood (Hall, 87), Power (Fenwick, 62), J. Wood. Unused sub: Sterling.
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