crayvhern121103

Cray were pushed all the way by Herne Bay in a competitive game at Hayes Lane on Wednesday evening and it needed a cracking save by Micky Simmons in the 90th minute to hang on to the three points.

Jamie Kempster opened the scoring with a solo run in the 22nd minute, forcing his way through on the right and holding off several challenges before firing home.

The Bay were level two minutes later through Steve Jones who made no mistake from a second rebound after Simmons had blocked two close-range shots.

Then it was Kempster again with a sure touch after 36 minutes to tuck away a left wing cross from John Mayall.

After that it was nip and tuck with Kempster coming closest to adding at least one more goal for the Wands, while Jones failed to beat Simmons in a one-on-one when the visitors created their best opening.

Post-match comment had it that Cray just about shaded the game over the 90 minutes, but Simmons made his vital save in the very last minute, re-positioning himself to deal with a viciously-swerving 30 yard shot from Lee Jones.

Cray Wanderers: Simmons, Silk (Lover), Whelan, Gray, Evans, Taylor, Heaslewood, Kempster, J Wood, Bennett, Mayall.

MOM Jamie Kempster