A much changed Cray Wanderers side lost only their third game of the season on Wednesday night at Hayes Lane as they bowed out of the Kent Senior Cup against an impressive young Charlton team.
The Addicks started the game on top, moving the ball round quickly and pressing The Wands back, Terrique Anderson and Wilberforce Orcan both going close, Orcan playing against the club he is currently on loan to!
Cray’s first chance came when Karl Dent’s corner was headed over by Mitchell Nelson from six yards out. Charlton made their pressure pay off on 7 minutes when Jordan Zemura finished off a strong run with an exchange of passes on the edge of the box before firing the ball into the net past Nick Blue.
Seven minutes later it was 2-0 when Luke Carey coolly found the corner of the net after another slick passing move from Athletic.
Jo Cummings headed over soon after, but it was 3-0 on 21 minutes when Anderson headed in a Billy French cross to almost put the game beyond reach of The Wands.
Four minutes later though Cray found a way back in to the match when Dent sent in a dangerous free kick from the right, which was deflected into the net off the unfortunate Cummings to make it 3-1.
Cray responded from there, Dent fired just over soon after, latching on to a good ball from Freddie Parker and then Jerome Frederico was denied by Charlton keeper Joseph Osaghe who had a great game between the posts.
Late in the half Charlton had another strong spell with Ben Dempsey going close, before Carey set up two more chances which saw Orcan and James Gody shoot just off target.
The second half saw Charlton start well again, Taylor Maloney had a free kick saved, before they were 4-0 up on 53 minutes when Anderson bundled a low cross from the left home from close range.
Parker fired wide on a rare Cray attack, but Charlton went close again with Carey forcing a fine save from Blue with a powerful free kick.
Anderson and Dempsey shot wide again before Nelson saw a long range free kick for The Wands comfortably controlled by Asaghe.
The final goal of the game came on 76 minutes when Freddie Barton sent in a great cross for Kareen Isiaka to skilfully guide his header past Blue for 5-1.
Late on things opened up, Isiaki went close for The Addicks, while Asaghe then saved bravely at the feet of Parker to deny Cray a second goal.
This was an enjoyable entertaining game, with some really attractive attacking football played by both sides, but Charlton had the edge to progress through to the next round of the Kent Senior Cup.
Cray: Blue, Lewis, Johnson, Evans, Nelson, Henry, Roberts (Garvey-Williams 45), Dent (Poku 64), Solebo, Frederico (Cruz 63), Parker.
Subs Not Used: Bambroffe, Fujimade.
Charlton: Asaghe, Barton, Zemura, Maloney, Cummings, French, Anderson (Isiaka 70), Dempsey (Godding 76), Orcan, Gody (Vennings 60), Carey.
Subs Not Used: Moore, Maynard-Brewer.
Goals; Cray – Cummings OG 25mins. Charlton – Zemura 6mins, Anderson 21 & 53mins, Isiaka 77mins.
HT 1-3 FT 1-5
Att: 161
Referee: Mr Peter Cruise