In a classic game of two halves, Cray Wanderers and Lewes battled out an entertaining draw at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon, with The Wands scoring twice in the first half and The Rooks levelling up in the second period.
Tony Russell and his coaching team returned to their former employers with five ex-Wands in the squad in a game that always has ab extra edge to it and proceedings got off to an open attacking start, with half chances at either end, but it was the home side who took the lead on 13 minutes when Yahaya Bamba raced down the right and sent in the perfect cross for Tom Derry to powerfully head home past Lewis Carey for 1-0 to Cray.
Antony Cook went close soon after with a free kick after a foul on Bamba as the game began to take a more physical edge.
Lewes had lost of possession of the ball, but their only effort on goal came when Alfie Young’s deflected shot was saved by Shaun Rowley in the home goal.
Cray still looked the more dangerous as the half progressed and they went close again when Dan Bassett played in Dajon Golding down the left and his shot was tipped over the bar by Carey.
The Wands doubled their lead on 35minutes when Bamba had a powerful shot from the edge of the area parried by Carey and Golding pounced on the rebound to convert from close range for 2-0.
Going into the break Deon Moore had shot blocked in the box for the visitors, before Bamba had another shot saved by Carey at the other end.
The second half saw Lewes start to take the initiative, Cook did go close with a free kick for The Wands, but it was The Rooks who pulled one back on 48 minutes when Ryan Gondoh raced clear down the left and cut in before driving the ball home for 2-1.
With the game now being played at a frantic pace, Jamie Mascoll had a free kick saved by Rowley as Lewes continued to press and they drew level on 54 minutes.
Cray failed to clear the danger after a set piece and as Sam Wood tried to get the ball under control he appeared to be fouled by former Wanderer Joe Taylor, but to the disbelief of the home fans Referee Warren waved play on and Taylor cashed in by smashing the ball into the roof of the net from tight angle to make it 2-2.
From there spurred on by the perceived injustice Cray rallied ad the game became wide open, but Cray found no joy down the wings this half and had to go more direct.
Cook went close from range twice for The Wands, while Tyrique Hyde had a shot saved for Lewes with play flowing from end to end.
Going into injury time Cray had one a spell of pressure around the Rooks’ box, which saw Cook having a dipping shot well saved by Carey, before at the death Lewes appealed for a penalty when Hyde went down in the box, but the referee was not interested and the game ended all square.
This was a very entertaining game between two good sides and both deserved something from the match. Cray slipped one place to third with the point ahead of their trip to Wingate & Finchley next weekend, while Lewes are now tenth.
Cray: Rowley, Tanga,Wood, Jones, Weaire, Skeffington, Cook, Bassett, Golding, Bamba, Derry.
Subs Not Used: Boamah, Clunis, Christie, King-Bassett, Ijaha.
Lewes: Carey, Salmon, Champion, Young, Mascoll. Olukoga (Pritchard 75),Renee, Hyde, Gondoh (Walker 90), Moore (Murrell-Williamson 45), Taylor.
Subs Not Used: Tamplin, Scott.
Goals: CWFC – Derry 13, Golding 35mins. – LFC – Gondoh 48mins, Taylor 54mins.
Att: 334
HT 2-0 FT 2-2
Referee: George Warren