Kentish Football 
Cray Wanderers 3-2 Walton & Hersham - Jenkins relishing reunion with Abbott
CRAY WANDERERS 3-2 WALTON & HERSHAM
Ryman League Division One South
Sunday 9th March 2008
Mike Green reports from Hayes Lane
A LATE strike from an unlikely source extended Cray Wanderers’ unbeaten league run to 23 this afternoon.
Defender Mark Willy seized on a loose ball after Aaron Day’s cross had ricochet inside the Walton & Hersham penalty area to show composure that many strikers at this level would be proud off, as he curled the ball into the top corner of the net to seal Cray’s victory and send the majority of the crowd home happy.
Wands boss Ian Jenkins admitted afterwards that he was relieved to get the three points but added: “We were the only team wanting to win the game in the last half hour.”
That said, Jenkins would have been concerned at the way his side blew a 2-0 first half lead.
They were ahead as early as the seventh minute when Lewis Wood got on the end of Ryan Royston’s flick (from Danny Chapman’s long free-kick) to brilliantly lob over the stranded Richard Stroud and into the net.It could have been two when the flying Tommy Whitnell just couldn’t get enough on Ross Lovers’ free-kick.
Not that it mattered because after 28 minutes the Wands did have a second.Again Royston played a key role as he flicked on Day’s free-kick to central defensive partner Steve Aris who controlled the ball on his chest before slamming the ball into the net.
This finally kick-started the Swans into life and former Whitstable Town striker Jon Neal got on the end of a fine through ball to give Glen Knight no chance from the edge of the box.
You would have thought by equalising the Swans would have gone on but it was the home side who upped a gear with Chapman coming more and more into the game and indeed the former Dover Athletic midfielder began to dictate the game.
On 63 minutes it was a Chapman cross that saw Tommy Whitnell’s header bring the very best out of Stroud as the goalkeeper plunged his way to his right to palm the ball away.Thirteen minutes later it was Aris who this time was denied by the goalkeeper – his header from Jamie Wood’s free-kick nestling in the keeper’s midrift.
The two Wood’s then combined well only for Lewis to see his shot blocked well by the keeper and when Royston’s lob, after some good approach work down the right, was tipped over by Stroud only for referee Smith to award a goal-kick, you felt that the winner wouldn’t come.The look and joy on the Cray players’ faces when central defender Willy blasted home the winner you could say that the Wands were walking in a Willy wonderland!
It could have even be better for the home side had Stroud not excelled again to deny Jamie Wood from 25-yards but the points were now in the bag for the Kent side.
Looking ahead afterwards, Jenkins said: “We’ve got a tough week, hopefully the weather will allow us to go to Whyteleafe on Wednesday (the fixture has already been postponed three times this season) and of course we go to Sittingbourne on Saturday.“I just hope that Gary Abbott doesn’t carry out his threat and play,” joked Jenkins with a huge grin on his face.
“Whatever happens it will be good to see him again but we’ve got to remain focused and Whyteleafe come first.”Cray Wanderers: Glen Knight, Aaron Day, Colin Luckett, Danny Chapman, Mark Willy, Ryan Royston, Ross Lover, Steve Aris, Jamie Wood, Lewis Wood, Tommy Whitnell.
Subs: Dean Morris, David Hall, Tyrone Sterling, Matt Lee, Ian Jenkins.
Goals: Lewis Wood 7, Steve Aris 28, Mark Willy 87
Walton & Hersham: Richard Stroud, Will Jenkins, Robbie Watkins, Dan Nwanze, Aaron Nowacki, James Campbell, Adam Moriarty, Rob George, Jon Neal, Julien Thompson (Avis-Samy Sari 76), Tom Carter (Liam Alleyne 68).
Subs: Gavin Rose, Matt Martin, Cedric Kobonso.
Goals: Jon Neal 39, Julien Thomson 46
Attendance: 193
Referee: Mr Rob Smith
Assistants: Mr Barrie Gale & Mr Roger Wells
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