Cray Wanderers opened their league campaign with a 5-1 win over Kingstonian at Hayes Lane on Saturday, although it could have been a different story , but for a superb first half goalkeeping display from Lewis Carey in the home goal.
Kingstonian started on the front foot, but it was Cray who had the better chances with Lee Lewis and Rhys Murrell-Williamson going close.
The Wands took the lead on 9 minutes when Joe Taylor created space on the edge of the box and drove the ball past Rob Tolfrey to make it 1-0.
Murrell-Williamson and Jason Banton went close as the game opened up even more, while Fabio Saraiva sent up Elliot Buchanan who fired over for the visitors. Murrell-Williamson hit the post for Cray, while Kadel Daniel was denied by Carey who hit a powerful free kick from range.
Former Cray winger Andre Coker was then also foiled by Carey as Ks pressed and he then made a great save at the feet of Gus Sow.
Coker was again denied by Carey with Tom Carlse clearing the danger and Tom Kavanagh hit a powerful drive from distance which Carey palmed away to safety.
Then on the break Cray doubled their lead on 39 minutes when the ball came out to Banton on the right who clipped the ball past Tolfrey from the edge of the area, catching most of the crowd out as the ball escaped through the back on the net, but fortunately the officials spotted it had gone in.
The second half saw Kingstonian start on top again, Saraiva had an effort saved by Carey, but as the visitors pressed Banton broke up the Left wing and raced clear before unselfishly squaring the ball to Murrell-Williamson who side footed home from six yards out to make it 3-0.
Banton then immediately went off injured and the stunned Ks also made changes from there, but it was to no avail and they found themselves four down just before the hour when Freddie Parker drove a free kick through the wall beating Tolfrey from 25 yards out.
The pace slowed from there and with 20 minutes left Kingstonian pulled a goal back when Corrie Andrews finished off a fine passing move with a cool finish denying Carey the clean sheet his display deserved.
Kavanagh went close soon after as Hayden Bird’s side tried to find a way back into the game, but they couldn’t navigate another way through the home defence. Late on Cray sealed the win with another clinical finish from Taylor who drilled a ball from Bradley Pritchard home from the edge of the box low into the corner of the net.
Taylor had one chance to grab his hatrick near full time, but Tolfrey saved bravely at his feet to prevent him from picking up another match ball.
The 5-1 score line was a clinical lesson in taking your chances from Tony Russell’s team as they started their league campaign where they left off last season.
The Wands now turn their attention to the FA Cup on Wednesday night when they take on Fisher at Hayes Lane in the first qualifying round.
Cray: Carey Williams Carlse Leader Nelson Lewis Banton (Abaton 52) Pritchard Murrel-Williamson (Oduguwa 79) Taylor Parker.
Subs Not Used: Allen Hall Onoabaghbe.
Kingstonian: Tolfrey Osbourne Saraiva Cooper Hutchings Sow (Richards 54) Kavanagh Buchanan Daniel (Lawson 70)Coker (Andrews 54)
Subs Not Used: Perch Puemo.
HT: 2-0. FT 5-1.
Goals: Cray – Taylor 9 & 81, Banton 39, Murrell-Williamson 51, Parker
58mins.Ks- Andrews 75mins.
Att: 290
Ref: Peter Cruise.