Sat 1st Sept: Premier Division
Cray Valley (PM) 5
D.Flood (2)
M.Knuckey
L.L'anson
R.Bryant
|
Sheerness East 1
J.Salvidge
|
With the suspension of key players looming Mark Edwards was faced with some difficult selections. He opted to keep Matt Knuckey in the starting line up whilst leaving influential mid-fielder Phil Eagle on the bench. Both decisions were fully justified as Cray romped to their biggest ever win against Sheerness East.
A lively start to the game saw Knuckey go close after 5 minutes but when clean through he shot straight at the keeper. Two minutes later Sheerness took the lead when Cray keeper O'Neill appear to dive over the ball leaving Savage to tap the ball into an empty net.
Cray continued to press for an equaliser and on 22 minutes Knuckey was pulled down in the penalty area whilst dribbling towards goal. Dean Flood cooly slotted the resulting penalty away. From this moment onwards Cray dominated the rest of the first half.
An excellent passing move between Clarke, Flood and Knuckey resulted in Knuckey putting Cray ahead after 26 minutes. After 37 minutes Clarke clipped the ball out to Rob Bryant on the lift wing who ran unchallenged into the box before slipping the ball under the advancing keeper for his first competitive goal for the club. Jug for Robbie!
Playing their best football of the season Dean Flood made it 4-1 just before the interval. Having won the ball in the air, his clever flick sent Knuckey into the penalty area. Floody then lost his marker to sprint into the box to slot home a return pass from Knuckey. Game over before the break!
Mark Edwards introduced Luke L'anson after the break and within 3 minutes he made it 5-1 with a goal on his debut. With another jug guaranteed - not to mention the 3 points - it was going to be a good night in the bar.
A freak injury to Phil Eagle shortly after he and Sean O'Keefe came on as subs in the 65th minute meant Cray had to finish the game with 10 men. Eagle suffered a dislocated shoulder so lucky for him the length of his ban will cover the time it will take for him to recover full fitness!
Overall a good day at the office for Mark - three points and after 4 dismissals in the first 3 games, no cautions.
Scott Clarke, returning for his 15th spell at the club, produced an excellent display in midfield but as he had a hand in all of the goals Matt Knuckey was Cray's star player on the day.
Man of the Match - Matt Knuckey.
Team (4-4-2) - O'Neill, Vale, White, Martin, Ring, Ismeal, Clarke, Adduono, Bryant, Flood, Knuckey.
Subs used - L'Anson, Eagle, O'Keefe.
D. Wilson - Cray Valley (PM)FC |
