Larkfield & New Hythe 1 - 1 Cray Wanderers

This was a first time meeting between the sides and in front of a crowd of 301 on a blowy and chilly afternoon this was a traditional old school FA Cup tie with a competitive edge and although at times the game lacked quality there was plenty of endeavour and sweat expended from both sides.

Cray were looking to build confidence after four straight league defeats while Larkfield & New Hythe are unbeaten after just three league games and had reached the 1st QR for the first time although were beaten on penalties at Selsey in the FA Vase on Tuesday night.  For the Wands, new signing Imran Kayani began up front in place of Anthony Cook while Quade Taylor came in for David Ijaha.

Larkfield have started the season well and forced eight corners in the first half and in the opening minute a ball in the box had to be cleared away from goal by Tom Bonner.

On what was a bobbly pitch, Cray began to exert some early pressure and Kenny Coker cut inside from the left and his shot was held by Denny McConnell.  Then down the left, Nyren Clunis put over a terrific cross which was just flicked past the right post by Kayani.

The game was evenly poised but after a spell of passing, David Smith and Frankie Raymond set up Kayani for a shot over the top.  

However, there was a let off for Cray when down the left, Alvin Turyatemba’s ball across was helped on and Temi Alaka put the ball in the net but was disallowed for offside.  Then down the left, Matt Day broke forward and his effort was pushed up in the air by Shaun Rowley.  For Cray, Coker fired well over the bar.

In the 26th minute Cray came close when down the right Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera’s excellent cross was met by a firm header from Kayani but straight into the arms of McConnell.

Two minutes later, the Larks were presented with a chance to take the lead with perhaps a harsh penalty as a ball played up to Alaka was deemed to be handled in the box by Darion Dowrich.  From the penalty, Day’s shot was well turned aside by Rowley and the ball was cleared for his second penalty save of the season.

Then, from a free kick, Ross Ibbertsen’s ball into the area came to Day but Rowley did well to block the shot.  For Cray, a Raymond free kick into the area just couldn’t get a firm connection from Tom Bonner and drifted behind.

Before the break, Nathan Daly’s free kick from distance hit the side netting while for Cray, David Smith’s shot lacked power and was gathered by McConnell.

The last action of the half saw Jay Wade find Alaka down the right and his all across was deflected wide of the left post by Quade Taylor for a corner.

The second half began with Cray looking to impose themselves and from a free kick down the left, Raymond’s dinked ball into the area was headed over by Nyren Clunis.

The game was starting to get rather bogged down and the quality of the game dropped considerably as the wind seemed to get stronger.

For Cray, David Smith couldn’t quite get enough on a flicked header wide and Owiredu-Gyamera shot over from outside the area.

However, in the 68th minute Larkfield & New Hythe took the lead and the cup upset was on the cards.  The Larks forced a corner down the left and Turyatemba’s ball to the near post was headed in by Bryan Zepo.

The home side almost scored a second when Turyatemba went through but Owiredu-Gyamera did brilliantly to block and put behind for a corner.

For the Wands, Coker’s shot was deflected behind but in the 79th minute were awarded a penalty when down the left, Clunis cut into the area and was clipped by Ibbertsen.  From  the spot, substitute Anthony Cook scored his second goal of the season to put the Wands on level terms.

The last ten/fifteen minutes saw both teams searching for the win but there were not too many chances with Cray maybe closest when Dontai Stewart saw an effort well blocked by Fraser Walker and a free kick from Arezki Hamouchene down the left was deflected off ex-Wand Ben Davisson and behind for a corner.

In the end the match finished in a draw which means both can await the 2nd QR draw at 1pm on Monday still with cup ambitions. For Cray, they had to show some character to get back into the game but will still have a tough battle against a quick moving Larkfield side who will not be overawed by the occasion and Cray will have to be at their best to advance.

Cray Wanderers: Shaun Rowley, Darion Dowrich, Quade Taylor, Tom Bonner, Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera. Frankie Raymond (Arezki Hamouchene, 76), Charlie Edwards, Nyren Clunis (Dontai Stewart, 85), Kenny Coker, David Smith (Anthony Cook, 63), Imran Kayani: Subs: Alfie Evans, David Ijaha, Lateef Adaja, Archie Johnson

Scorer: Cook 79 pen
 

Att: 301