In front of a bumper August Bank Holiday Monday crowd at Flamingo Park, Cray Wanderers came out on top in this hugely eventful local derby defeating Welling Utd by four goals to one.
The game got off to a lively start with The Wands looking positive, pressing with set pieces and crosses. Ade Yusuff had a shot deflected wide, but as the half-progressed Welling came back into things.
Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Ade Azeez combining to set up Jamie Reynolds who headed over at the far post. At the other end, Alex Hernandez crossed for Sammie McLeod who saw his header blocked.
With Welling ending the half stronger, they took the lead on 38 minutes, Sam Smith’s free kick was headed back towards goal by Lekan Majoyegbe and smashed home by Azeez from close range.
Cray responded immediately though, and they were level in first half injury time when an Alez Hernandez corner was headed home by Rob Strachan in a crowded six-yard box to make it 1-1 at the half.
The second half saw Cray start well again, Majoyegbe was booked for an aerial challenge on Yusuff and minutes later he made a similar challenge on Cray keeper Henry Molyneux, which saw him sent off for a second yellow card.
Welling responded to going down to ten men by taking the attacking initiative and Cray were then soon also reduced in numbers when Molyneux was show a second yellow for taking the ball out of his area when attempting to kick the ball, having already been carded for his response to the foul from Majoyegbe, he also saw red.
Oscar James Johnson came on as sub keeper for Soul Kader, which then saw The Wands battle back. Ola Ogunwamide crossed for Frankie Morgan who fired wide, but on the next attack Ogunwamide’s shot was parried by Mackenzie Foley and as Hernandez pounced on the rebound he was brought down by the keeper for a penalty.
Yusuff stepped up to take the spot kick and drove it high into the top right-hand corner to put Cray Wands in front. With The Wands now pressing, McLeod had a shot saved and as it came out to the edge of the area Ongunwamide unleashed an unstoppable effort that crashed into the net for 3-1.
With the visitors reeling Cray made it 4-1 on 87 minutes, when Yusuff cut in from the right and set up Hernandez to convert from close range and seal the win for Tim O’Shea’s side, remaining unbeaten at home this campaign.
Late on Welling kept going with Zak O’Keefe and Ryan Kingsford going close, but The Wands held out for a memorable win.
Cray now travel to Lewes in the FA Cup next Saturday, while Welling Utd have a Kent derby away at Faversham Town.
Cray – Molyneux, Lema, Morgan, Strachan, Adaja (Payne 45), Raymond, Hernandez, Yusuff (Chapman 97), Ogunwamide, McLeod, Kader (Johnson 73).
Subs Not Used: Haftom.
Welling: Foley, Majoyegbe, Cooper, Ufuah (Anaydike 59), Bennett, Smith, Otseh-Taiwo (Kingsford 83), Azeez (Melvin-Lambert 62), Miller-Rodney (Blackman 39), Reynolds (Shomotun 45), O’Keefe.
HT 1-1 FT 4-1
Goals: CWFC – Strachan 45, Yusuff 78pen, Ogunwamide 83, Hernandez 87mins WUFC – Azeez 38mins.
Att: 1,528
Referee: Steven Goldup