Chatham Town against Cray Wanderers was a mid-table clash which turned out to be a disaster for Chatham as they probably had their worst performances of the season while the Wands had one of their best and it now looks likely they will be in this Division next season as they move four points clear of their hosts.
The first ten minutes saw both sides check each other out and then in the 13th minute Cray took the lead when a cross into the middle of the area found Nyren Clunis who sneaked in and headed in from three yards.
Three minutes later a free kick into the Cray area found debutant Harry Webster but his header went over the bar. In the 18th minute Chatham could have equalised when a corner to the back post found Simon Cooper on his own, but his header went across the goal and out for a goal kick.
In the 19th minute Cray doubled their lead when a cross to the back post was put into his own goal by Webster under pressure. Chatham were shocked by this and in the space of five minutes had chances to get a goal back when firstly Jordi Robins saw his 20 yards snap shot go wide then Webster in the area passed to Jordy Mongoy but his shot from 15 yards went over the bar.
In the 39th minute Chatham should have got a goal back when Sam Sene-Richardson weaving in and out going forward saw his shot from 20 yards parried away by Shaun Rowley but straight to Mongoy but from five yards out with the goal at his mercy he shot went wide.
The Wands then punished them by scoring their third in the 42nd minute when a free kick from the right was crossed to the back post where Remi Sutton on his own rose and headed in. Half time arrived and most of the crowd were shocked by Chatham’s performance while Cray’s supporters were celebrating.
The second half was only four minutes old when Cray got their fourth, the ball in the area found Clunis who stabbed home from three yards.
Chatham scored their first goal two minutes later when good work on the left saw Sene-Richardson receives the ball in the area and from six yards he shot home giving the home crowd something to cheer.
In the 59th minute Chatham nearly got their second when Sene-Richardson’s cross found John Ufuah who controlled it and shot but Rowley saved it.
Four minutes later Freddie Sears was put through on goal and toe poked past the onrushing Rowley, but the Cray defenders were able to get back and clear this just epitomized Chatham’s day.
In the 77th minute Rowan Libard flicked on a long ball for Sene-Richardson but again his shot was easily saved by Rowley. Cray nearly got their fifth when Substitute Nathan Jeche latched onto a long ball and from 20 yards his shot went just past the near post.
In the fourth minute of added on time Jamie Yila got onto a flick on but under pressure his lob from eight yards went over the bar.
The final whistle went and the Chatham players trooped off quickly probably embarrassed by this performance and with results going their way stay 13th while Cray climbed up to 11th and their supporters were ecstatic with this result.
Chatham Town:
1. J.Wright 2.H.Webster (Debut) 3. K.Aidoo 4. J.Robins (80) 5. R.Butler 7. S.Sene-Richardson 10. F.Sears (70)
12. K.Garlinge (63) 15. S.Cooper 17. J.Mongoy (45) 20. J.Ufuah (66)
Subs Used: 9. R.Libard (45) 14. L.Chambers (63) 11. J.Yila (66) 18. S.Oldfield (70) 19. J.Christmas (80)
Subs All Used:
Bookings: 5.R.Butler (41) 4. J.Robins (79)
Cray Wanderers:
1. S.Rowley 2. I.Orji 3. D.Dowrich (60) 4. R.Sutton 6. T.Bonner 7. L.Adaja 8. F.Raymond
9. S.Kadur (66) 10. J.Williams (90+5) 11. N.Clunis (90+2) 18. E.Ebuzoeme (78)
Subs Used: 12. D.Sesay-De-Luca (60) 14. N.Jeche (66) 16. C.Edwards (78) 5. Q.Taylor (90+2) 15. M.Ihiedi (90+5)
Subs All Used:
Bookings: None
Referee: Mr S.Barclay
Assistants: Mr J.Mottram And Mr C.Fanelli
Att: 1406
Images courtesy of Mark Hunt