Hastings United vs Cray Wanderers
Isthmian Premier – Saturday 18th January, 2025 – Match Report
Hastings United 1
Wells 43
Cray Wanderers 2
Clunis 14, Jeche 28
Cray Wanderers continued their 100% winning start to 2025 with a fourth successive win as two first half goals from Nyren Clunis and Nathan Jeche clinched a 2-1 victory at Hastings United.
The win keeps Cray in 9th place in the Isthmian Premier League table on 38 points and continues an excellent run of form with just one defeat in the last ten league matches.
The first goal came in the 14th minute when Clunis fired into the net after Tom Bonner’s presence in the six yard box saw Louis Rogers make a block and then fourteen minutes later Jeche glanced in Raymond’s right wing free kick.
Hastings did pull a goal back two minutes before half time when Ben Wells turned the ball in from close range for the first goal Cray had conceded since Boxing Day. However, Cray defended superbly in the second half and could have scored more goals to make the game more comfortable.
The Wands were cheered on by a superb and noisy Wands support on a cold and murky afternoon and Cray were looking to build on the 1-0 win against Potters Bar Town last Saturday and there was just one change to the starting lineup with Eze Ebouzeme coming in for Kenny Coker.
Hastings were playing their first home game of 2025 and came into the game in 20th place on 23 points and had lost their last three at home.
The game began with a short spell of sparring but Cray fashioned the first half opening in the 7th minute when down the left, Darion Dowrich broke into the area and his cross-shot was pushed out by Louis Rogers and did well to gather at the second attempt.
For Hastings United top scorer Davide Rodari was found by Adam Lovatt but hooked his shot well over the top.
A minute Cray went ahead when following the award of a free kick to the right of the penalty area, Frankie Raymond ball into the box aimed for Tom Bonner but Rogers blocked the ball only to fall for Nyren Clunis who rifled the loose ball into the net from eight yards.
Hastings looked to get back into the game and George Walker down the right of the area looked to have set up a shooting chance but Bonner made a superb block to prevent the shot. Then Jack Dixon hit a low shot held by Shaun Rowley.
Cray had won their last six games by the score of 1-0 but in the 28th minute scored a second goal once again from a free kick delivery from Raymond whose cross was measured to perfection and Nathan Jeche got the merest of touches to score from four yards.
From here Cray had a element of control of the game although Alex Kpakpe fired a shot well over for Hastings.
However, two minutes before half time Hastings pulled a goal back when from a long throw close to the left corner flag by Ollie Black was flicked across by Dixon to the far post for Ben Wells to score.
HT: 1-2
The second half saw Cray begin on the front foot and kept possession well and almost scored a third four minutes after the break when Josh Williams hooked over a great cross from the right to the far post but Clunis couldn’t get a touch to the ball.
Then from a free kick out on the left the cross into the box glanced off the head of Bonner and clipped the top of the crossbar and over. Cray then had the ball in the net through Jeche but was disallowed for a handball offence
Hastings were not out of the game and Black’ long throws were a major weapon for the home side but the Wands defence with Bonner and Remi Sutton outstanding were keeping Shaun Rowley well protected
The match became a bit disjointed for a short while but Cray did end the last twenty minutes well and could have added to the lead.
First, Kenny Coker hit a shot wide down the left and wide of the right post. Then Frankie Raymond saw an effort blocked inside the area and fell to George Penn who shot off target.
Then Coker floated a shot wide of the left post and Cray were unlucky not to score when two more class performers on the afternoon combined when down the right Ike Orji’s excellent cross went to the far post for Darion Dowrich who set up Clunis whose shot was cleared off the line by Black.
This was followed by Williams shooting just wide for Cray with the remaining minutes seeing the Wands having to show their mettle from long throws and with the threat of Rodari and Walker.
Cray though had defended very well and despite five minutes of added time and one or two nervy moments but got through it and in the end came out on top and the great team spirit which has been so evident in the last few games worked its magic once again. There were some superb performances but Tom Bonner in particular was outstanding as was Raymond in midfield. Overall though it was a strong all round team display.
Cray are twelve points off 5th placed Horsham but also twelve in front of 19th placed Cheshunt and are just twelve points off last season’s final points total of 50.
Despite the excellence of the team performance a special mention must go to the Wands supporters who travelled in good numbers via coach, car and train and made a noise continuously throughout the game through song and drum and have raised the bar high for future games this and every season. On a personal note it was a joy to be part of something so special and the club now playing in a new ground and attracting a bigger fanbase are heading to an exciting era. So a big thank you to all supporters and I hope there aren’t too many sore throats on Sunday morning.
The Wands will be on their travels again next Saturday with a visit to Whitehawk, 3 pm ko.
Hastings United: Louis Rogers, Kyron Horsley-McKay, Alex Kpakpe, Jack Dixon, Finn O’Mara, Ollie Black, Davide Rodari, Ben Wells (Will Harley, 76), George Walker, Adam Lovatt (Kian Moynes, 74), Freddie Legg (Finley Chapman, 55): Subs: Kane Penn, Tom Howard
Booked: Lovatt 62, Dixon 63, Black 63
Cray Wanderers: Shaun Rowley, Ike Orji, Remi Sutton, Tom Bonner, Darion Dowrich, Frankie Raymond, Eze Ebuozeme, George Penn (Quade Taylor, 81), Nyren Clunis, Josh Williams, Nathan Jeche (Kenny Coker, 58): Subs: Lateef Adaja, Frankie Moralee, Ollie Rawlins
Booked: Bonner 17, Williams 79
Referee: Joshua Langley-Fineing
Assistants: Jamie Wells, John Pike
Att: 874
