Cray Wanderers – 2019-20 season – That was the season that wasn’t – A Pictorial Review
Isthmian Premier – Game 17 – Saturday 16th November
Main Pics credit: Neil Payne, Brightlingsea Regent FC
Brightlingsea Regent 0
Cray Wanderers 2 Taylor 24, 26 pen
Cray Wanderers moved up into 3rd place in the Isthmian Premier table and remained unbeaten away from home after a slick and professional performance at Brightlingsea Regent. Joe Taylor made it 21 goals for the season with a first half quick fire brace to cap off a period of dominance for Cray. The Wands defended well in the second half against a Regent side reduced to ten men before the hour and certainly was a perfect away performance after a long week and three wins.
Although Brightlingsea were struggling in the table, Cray certainly showed the Essex side plenty of respect and Cray were dominant for the first half and came close when Bradley Pritchard steered Joel Rollinson’s ball across just wide of goal. Then Lee Lewis found space to fire in a shot from outside the area which Charlie Turner did well to push behind for a corner.
The Wands got the goal their possession and dominance deserved in the 24th minute when from a free kick out on the left, Pritchard swung over a cross into the area which was helped on by Jay Leader into the six yard box and Joe Taylor was on hand to turn the ball into the net from about five yards out.
Two minutes later, it was two-nil when Ben Mundele made a surging run into the area and was checked by Fahad Nazor for a penalty. Taylor coolly slotted home from the spot to make things more comfortable.
Before half time, Charlie Allen saw a shot deflected just wide while at the other end Reece Dobson’s shot was comfortably held by Lewis Carey.
Cray continued to push forward at the start of the second half and were unlucky when Jay Leader’s header was cleared almost off the line and Mitchell Nelson shot wide from the follow up. Then Taylor’s effort from a tight angle was off target.
The game was all over really in the 58th minute when Nazor was sent off for violent conduct after kicking the ball at a prone Mundele and Cray were able to take their foot off the gas.
Brightlingsea almost pulled a goal back when Billy Hunt’s flicked header was turned over by Carey. Then Hunt shot over the bar from Jake Gould’s cross.
Cray had done more than enough to claim the three points and was very much job done and Cray would now have a welcome two week break before their next match with Carshalton Athletic as the scheduled home game with Hornchurch the following Saturday was postponed due to Hornchurch’s FA Trophy commitments. I think Cray were worthy of a bit of a break don’t you.
Cray Wanderers: Lewis Carey, Barney Williams, Tom Carlse, Jay Leader, Mitchell Nelson, Lee Lewis (Charles Etumnu, H/T), Bradley Pritchard, Charlie Allen, Ben Mundele, Joel Rollinson (Andre Coker, 78), Joe Taylor: Subs: Tom Murphy, Geofrey Okonkwo, Grant Hall
PITCHSIDE VIDEO – The Wands captured on the road once again as a combination of Ozay Booth and Henderson Russell produce another stylish video with pre-game, match footage and post match comment from the trip to Brightlingsea.
LEAGUE RESULTS – 16/11/19
LEAGUE TABLE
Att: 157
