Cray Wanderers extended their lead at the top of the Bostik League Division One South East to sixteen points with a solid 2-0 win over second placed Horsham at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon. 

Horsham started the game on the front foot, but it was Cray who had the best early chance when Ben Mundele went on a surging run from his own half all the way into the opposition box, but his shot was palmed away by Josh Pelling. Both sides looked a little nervous with the windy conditions not helping with some wayward passing.

The visitors missed a good chance to go in front when Lee Harding played in Rob O’Toole, but Nick Blue saved the striker’s shot with his feet. Then on 20 minutes Cray found their rhythm and took the lead when Jerome Frederico showed determination and strength to the win the ball in midfield and drive into the box before squaring a pass across the area to Junior Dadson who coolly slotted the ball past Pelling for 1-0.

With The Wands testing The Hornets down the wings, Dadson found Bradley Pritchard, but Pelling saved bravely at his feet. Horsham finished the half looking stronger, but the only real effort came when Dan Pearse’s dipping effort was saved by Blue.

The second half saw Cray start the brightly when Dadson had a shot over before Kieran Lavery’s flick at the near post was well saved by Blue.

Then The Wands were gifted a penalty on 56 minutes when Karl Dent was brought down in the box by Joe Shelley for a clear penalty and Joe Taylor swept the ball past Pelling from the spot to make it 2-0 to the league leaders.Harding had a shot saved by Blue as the visitors tried to come back in to things, but their chances of a comeback were dealt a blow when Pearse was show a straight red card for a heavy challenge on Frederico, the Cray winger having to go off injured soon after.

Blue made a superb save from Harvey Sparks’ fierce drive, but from there Cray settled and dominated possession of the ball, keeping Horsham at bay and playing some very attractive football. Harding sent a long range effort narrowly wide for The Hornets, but that was their only real effort of note in the final quarter.

Late on Cray pressed as Archie Johnson shot wide, Jay Leader had a header blocked on the line from a corner and Dadson had a shot saved after good work by Freddie Parker, but their two goals was enough to see the game out comfortably in the end.

With a play off already guaranteed, Tony Russell’s impressive side now travel to fourth place Hastings Utd next weekend looking to maintain their lead at the top and edge closer to the league title, which is now only seven points away.

Cray: Blue, Johnson, Mundele, Leader, Nelson, Dent (Parker 76), Pritchard, Roberts, Dadson, Frederico (Carlse 70), Taylor. Subs Not Used: Vines, Anderson, Uchechi.

Horsham: Pelling, Hyde (Metcalf 33), Sparks, Pearse, Shlley, Merchant-Simmons, Brivo (Richardson-Brown 64), Hayward, O’Toole, Harding, Lavery (Smith 74). Subs not Used: Lovegrove, Hogan.

Goals; Cray – Dadson 20mins, Taylor (pen)56mins.

HT 1-0 FT 2-0 Att: 209

Referee: Mr Isaac Searle