Cray Wanderers 2-0 Metropolitan Police - We deserve a crack at the Ryman Premier, says Royston

Despite losing the possession count during the game, Cray always looked dangerous when attacking down the flanks, and the back trio of Steve Aris, Mark Willy and Ryan Royston, ensured goalkeeper Glen Knight had one of his easiest nights of the season.

Metropolitan Police had the first real chance of the game when the ball ricochet around the edge of the Cray penalty area before falling to Steve Sargent whose angled shot flew off Knight’s legs towards the top of the net only for the outstanding Aaron Day to head the ball off the line for a corner.

Cray Wanderers took the lead immediately before the break when a long throw from Day was flicked on by Royston and the diminutive Jamie Wood climbed above his marker to loop a header into the far corner over the stranded goalkeeper Will Packham.

The lead at half-time being no less that Cray deserved.

Despite huffing and puffing in the second half, Metropolitan Police couldn’t break down the Kent side’s defence and the game was virtually settled on 74 minutes.

Day held off three Police defenders on the right corner of the box and laid a little reverse ball in for Lewis Wood who held off Steve Sutherland, or the defender’s attempts to hold him back, as he reached the by-line.

Wood squared the ball for Lover to stroke home from close range.

Metropolitan Police caused some panic in the Wands defence in the last five minutes when a long ball found Craig Carley in space for the first time in the match but his shot on the turn was beaten away by Knight.

Despite having to endure four minutes of stoppage time the 286 of the Wands faithful can look forward to a shot of the Ryman Premier League next season the only problem being they face a Tooting & Mitcham United side who have beaten them in three out of four previous games played this season.

Looking back at the Wands sole victory in the FA Cup in August, manager Ian Jenkins said afterwards: “Ok, we beat them in the Cup and they did us in the London Senior Cup, but the two league games have been very close.

“Second against third is the way it should be and of course is.”

The manager then agreed that perhaps losing the long unbeaten run of 28 games at Tooting a couple of weeks ago was the spur his side needed.

He said: “Since then we’ve won 3 out of 3 and haven’t let a goal in.”

Defender Royston was asked if he could remember the last player promoted from the same league with different clubs in consecutive seasons (Royston won this division with Maidstone United 12 months ago).

“That’s for you to tell me!” he grinned. “Seriously though we’ll go there on Saturday and do a job. Yes it’s only the day after tomorrow but this side deserves to be there and deserves a crack of the premier division next year.”

Final word to Jenkins. Recently Ebbsfleet United were forced by the Conference to play two games in the space of 43 hours, much to the disgust of boss Liam Daish.

When the same was put to Jenkins, the jovial manager simply smiled, shrugged his shoulders, and said: “We don’t have a choice do we. At least I’ve got Joe (Francis) to get me through this.”

For Jenkins and Francis it will be the realisation of a dream, for the side that Ian and Joe have built are just ninety minutes away from the promised land of the Ryman Premier League, all roads lead to Imperial Fields.

Cray Wanderers: Glen Knight, Aaron Day, Colin Luckett (Tyrone Sterling 78), Danny Chapman, Mark Willy, Ryan Royston, Ross Lover (David Hall 86), Jamie Kempster, Jamie Wood (Dean Morris 79), Lewis Wood, Steve Aris.
Subs: Michael Power, Ian Jenkins.

Goals: Jamie Wood 45, Ross Lover 74

Booked: Aaron Day 50

Metropolitan Police: Will Packham, Lee Gledhill, Michael Cobden, Dave Newman, Steve Sutherland, Scott Corbett, Steve Sargent, Jon Daly (Tommy Moorhouse 59), Craig Carley, James Greenaway, Leon Johnson (Adolph Amoako 59)
Subs: Andy Ottley, Steve Flinn, Mo Maan.

Booked: Steve Sutherland 22, Michael Cobden 37, Scott Corbett 67

Attendance: 286
Referee: Mr David Rock
Assistants: Mr Glen Tilley & Mr Graeme Thorley
Fourth Official: Oleksancr Saliy