Horsham vs Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 13th April – Match Repor
Horsham 2
Ajakaiye 17, Hammond 29 pen
Cray Wanderers 0
The Wands made it six league games without a win as Horsham remained in the playoff places after victory at a sunny Camping World Community Stadium with two first half goals by Daniel Ajakaiye and James Hammond.
Cray remain in 16th place after the defeat on 47 points but are safely clear of relegation while Horsham are 5th on 70 points, three clear of Billericay Town with two games in hand.
The Wands had lost the last two games and from the side which were beaten at Hornchurch on Tuesday into the side came Archie Johnson and Alfie Evans for Josh Hallard and Tom Beere. For Horsham from the side which won 1-0 at Potters Bar Town on Tuesday night there were two changes, Jack Brivio and Reece Myles-Meekums coming in for Charlie Hestor-Cook and Tom Richards.
On a very bright and sunny afternoon with just a welcome hint of breeze, the game got off to a lively but even start with Lee Harding seeing a shot blocked for the home side while Cray were defending well with Jack Holland and Tom Bonner outstanding.
In the 17th minute with the first real opening Horsham took the lead when Brivio played a fine ball across to Harding down the right and he cut inside and saw his shot pushed out by Shaun Rowley but following up Daniel Ajakaiye tucked home the rebound for his eighteenth goal of the season.
Cray were looking to respond and down the left Archie Johnson’s cross to the far post glanced off the head of Enoch Muwonge and behind.
Horsham though were beginning to look dangerous each time they attacked and in the 29th minute added a second from the penalty spot when Brivio was adjudged to have been brought down by David Ijaha and James Hammond scored from the spot.
Shortly after it was nearly three nil when Ajakaiye was put through and seemed certain to score but Shaun Rowley did superbly to turn the ball aside and the ex-Bromley striker looking to convert the rebound couldn’t get the ball on target.
Then from a corner down the right the ball came to Reece Myles-Meekums who shot wide and this was followed by Lucas Rodrigues down the right playing the ball across to Ajakaiye who put the ball in the net but was disallowed for offside.
The last action saw an effort from Myles-Meekums which went wide and the Hornets went into the break with a two goal lead.
HT: 2-0
The second half saw George Brooke come on for the Wands and certainly didn’t look out of place and was soon joined by Charlie Paye and one of the bonuses for the Wands overall were the appearances of youngsters like Brooke, Paye, Muwonge, Alfie Evans and Emmanuel Kwatchey whilst Cameron McQueen-Hinckley was on the bench.
Horsham started the second half well and Ajakaiye saw an effort blocked down the right, then Jack Strange saw an effort held.
Then James Hammond combined with Ajakaiye to fire in a cross-shot down the right which Rowley did well to turn aside.
For Cray, Anthony Cook attempted a chip which went over the bar and then Brooke down the left of the area saw a shot on target held by ex-Wand Lewis Carey.
On the hour, Nyren Clunis came on in another bonus for the Wands and Cray had more possession but a combination perhaps of the sapping weather and a long season meant the game petered out in the last half hour with both sides strong at the back.
In the end, Horsham had done more than enough to win the game and look a decent promotion contender and have a couple of games in hand on Billericay Town in 6th who are three points behind. For Cray, the season is winding down to the final home league game at Hayes Lane on Saturday vs. Bognor Regis Town but before that will be in action in the London Senior Cup Quarter Final vs Dartford on Tuesday 16th April, 7.45 pm and looking to end the season with a late cup run.
Horsham: Lewis Carey, Lee Harding, Harvey Sparks, Jack Brivio (Doug Tuck, 81), Jack Strange, Sami El Abd, James Hammond, Lucas Rodrigues, Shamir Fenelon, Daniel Ajakaiye (Tom Richards, 86), Reece Myles-Meekums (Jack Mazzone, 81): Subs: Elliott Romain, Danny Barker
Booked: Strange 61
Cray Wanderers: Shaun Rowley, Emmanuel Kwatchey, Jack Holland, Tom Bonner, Archie Johnson, David Ijaha (Charlie Paye, 53), Anthony Cook, Alfie Evans, Ellis Brown (Nyren Clunis, 60), Enoch Muwonge, Gary Lockyer (George Brooke, H/T): Subs: Cameron McQueen-Hinkley, Sam Wood
Booked: Bonner 29
Referee: Oscar Whiting
Assistants: Josh Osofa, Albie Jeffrey
Att: 1405
