Cray Wanderers 2-1 Carshalton Athletic - We need a player like Laurent Hamici - Jenkins

He said: “I think it the league itself – everyone beating everyone and we’ve been playing well without getting the results until tonight, when the truth I don’t think we played very well.” 

On paper two off and another three in the referee’s notebook would indicate a niggly game to many, but Jenkins was happy by the performance of Mr Bentley. 

He said: “Sadly I think it’s the standard of refereeing these days to be honest with you.  It was like the officials on Saturday – I said it on Radio Kent at the weekend.  And tonight I just don’t think he was that good. 

“I’m not sure over either sending off if I’m honest.  Their guys gone for an alleged head butt that was on the opposite side of the pitch, which I’m not sure about.  And Will’s (Mark Willy) sending off I thought was very harsh. 

“But we’ve seen a lot of strange decisions going on across the game in the last few days.” 

Continuing with a rueful grin Jenkins added, “Maybe the referees are now following what they see on telly just the same as players do?”
 
In the early stages, Cray were tormented down their right by Chris Henry, as twice early on the flying winger sent over two tantalising crosses – the first saw Anthony Joseph’s shot well turned aside by Dave King in the Cray goal, and the second saw Paul Johnson angle a header off of the face of the bar and rebound to safety. 

Then on 25 minutes came the game’s first twist as Henry tussled with Cray top scorer Hamici by his own corner flag, where a small scuffle ensued.  Hamici then fell to the floor, and after consulting his assistant, referee Bentley showed the Carshalton danger man a straight red card. 

Yet as so often happens, the sinners upped their game to another level and ten minutes later, the visitors had the lead, when Luke Pigden got on the end of some great inter play between Joseph and Johnson down the right, to drill the ball beyond king and into the Cray net.
 
After half time, Cray threatened briefly when Aaron Day saw a fierce drive beaten away by Craig Ross in the visitors goal, before the game turned again just before the hour. 

Willy and Johnson tangled as a long ball was played forward and when they both went down, referee Bentley again reached for his red card deeming Willy to be the last man. 

From the resulting free kick, King could only parry Tommy Williams’ thunderous drive and as Joseph netted the rebound the offside flag was raised. 

The Cray boss was far from happy to lose his skipper in that way.
 
Jenkins said: “I think after Will’s red card that took it back to 10 v 10 we were the better side.  We struggled with a man advantage, but how many times do you see that anyway?  Fair play to them – they set their stall out to stop us scoring and did so very well.”
 
As losing a man inspired Carshalton, so too did it seem to lift Cray as they drew level on 71 minutes. 

Danny Phillips’ miss hit corner bounced off of the arm of Johnson, and the referee pointed to the spot, and Ross Lover duly drove home his sixth goal of the season beyond the diving Ross. 

Jenkins later admitted that the corner hadn’t exactly been taken from the Cray Training Manual.  “It was a mad one to be honest as Danny doesn’t normally take the corners – Ross does – and we were mad on the bench – “what’s he taking that for?” – and then he goes and scuffs it and its hit their bloke on the arm, and so Ross then buried the pen – that’s three out of three now for him this year!”
 
Almost immediately the visitors could have gone back in front had Pigden been able to hit the target after a fast break down the left, but with just seven minutes left, Hamici scored his thirteenth goal of the season to add to his growing reputation. 

Steve Lozano (who has a terrific game for the home side) battled down the left and beat the defender to a bouncing ball before squaring to Hamici who side stepped a defender before drilling the ball into the bottom corner of the net, much to the delight of his manager. 

“We need a player like him!  Without Loll we wouldn’t be scoring goals as a team.  We’ve missed him as he was out with a ban – we have missed him – he just gets half chances and he puts them away like he did tonight.  I didn’t think he had a very good game in front of goal but got the one chance and puts it away!”
 
Carshalton did have a late chance to salvage a point but substitute Gary Noel couldn’t beat King from the edge of the box as he raced through, but in the end Cray had done just about enough to record their first win in four weeks and the three points takes the Wands into the top seven – just a couple of places off of the early season Play Off zone.
 
After the game, Jenkins reflected on just how tight and tough the Ryman premier is proving to be this year. 

He said: “Teams can beat each other in this league.  I just think its one of the hardest Leagues to get out of – everyone’s agreeing with that this year. 

“There are no favourites that are going to walk away with it this year – Sutton were supposed to be the favourites, but we went to their place and only got a 1-1 draw after battering them and I wasn’t happy with that, and that to me shows how tight everything is. 

“We’ve got a good side here – we like to play football.  The squad’s a bit thin at the minute but those who have had to step up have done well – long may it continue.”
 
Cray Wanderers: Dave King, Chris Saunders (Richard Whyte 80), Alex Bentley, Aaron Day, Mark Willy, Rhys Coleman, Ross Lover, Tyrone Sterling (Ebenezer Masade 46), Laurent Hamici, Danny Phillips, Steve Lozano (Adam Cotterill 86).
Subs: Allan McLeod, Kieran McCann

Goals:  Ross Lover 71 (pen), Laurent Hamici 83

Booked: Steve Lozano 32, Adam Cotterill 88

Sent off: Mark Willy 59
 
Carshalton Athletic: Craig Ross, Michael Boetang, Justyn Roberts, David Ray, David Obaze, Tommy Williams (Mbive Lokando 89), Paul Johnson, Luke Pigden, Anthony Joseph (Gary Noel 79), Byron Harrison (Lloyd Blackman 79), Chris Henry.
Subs: Guy Hollis, Dan Young
 
Goal: Luke Pigden 35

Booked:  Anthony Joseph 63

Sent Off:  Chris Henry 23

Attendance: 182
Referee: Mr Ian Bentley (West Wickham)
Assistants:  Mr Tim Burman (Stone) & Mr Lee Dyson (Gravesend)