Cray Wanderers exited the Kent Senior Cup at the first time of asking as they lost out to Herne Bay on Tuesday night at Flamingo Park, thanks to two first half goals from Kamani McFarlane & Chinedu Duru.
Manager Tim O’Shea opted to field a mixture of first team squad, under 23 and under 18 players for the cup tie, while Heren Bay from the division below went in relatively full strength and the difference was obvious for most of the game.
After an open start, Bay took the lead on 10minutes when Chinedu Duru played in Kamani McFarlane and he smashed the ball past Kevin Kardel in the home goal for 1-0 with a superb finish.
Herne Bay caused The Wands backline with their pace and quickness of turn and it took some time for the home side to settle.
Eventually Cray started to create chances of their own with Victor Damyanov having an effort saved by Joe Coleman after a knock down from Quade Taylor. Ashley Nzala, Damyanov & Taylor all had chances, but they were unable to find a way through the visitors defence.
Going towards half time Heren eBay had a strong spell again, James Rogers had a goal ruled out for offside before Deese Kasinga Madia broke down the left and crossed for Duru who drove the ball past Kardell for 2-0 on 43 minutes.
The second half saw Kasinga Madia go close for Bay, before Cray settled again, but despite having lots of possession, they lost the ball when trying to play the vital pass into attacking areas.
Later in the half The Wands made some inroads into the Bay defence, but chances were spurned. George Brooke had a number of efforts on goal just off target or saved by Coleman, Oliver Chiriseri shot over, while Damyanov and Breece Lenda also went close, but the killer touch in front of goal was missing.
Herne Bay progress through to the next round of the Kent Senior Cup, while Cray now prepare for atrip to Carshalton Athletic in the league on Saturday.
Cray Wands – Kardell, Mare (Chiseri 45), Okoye, Watson, Brooke, Taylor (Holden 45), Wells, Bobomurodov (Lenda 67), Adaja (Dzontoh 45), Nzala 9Bateki 67), Damyanov.
Herne Bay: Coleman, Otseh-Taiwo, Smith, Rogers (Latrice 70), Altise (Brand 79), Procopi, McFarlane (Bloomfield 70), Heard, Duru (Christian-Law 70), Cutbush, Kasinga Madia (Ababio 65).
Goals – McFarlane 10, Duru 43mins.
HT 0-2 FT 0-2
Att: 216
Referee: Simon Cutler