Ashford Town 0-2 Cray Wanderers - Jenkins targets second place

ASHFORD TOWN 0-2 CRAY WANDERERS
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 4^th March 2008
Mike Green reports from The Homelands

CRAY WANDERERS extended their unbeaten run to 21 games with an efficient and workmanlike performance in everything the weather could throw at them on this bitter Tuesday evening.

For Ashford Town boss Steve Lovell it was another frustrating night at the office.

Lovell admitted afterwards: “If we had won these three games (at Eastbourne Town on Saturday, tonight and this Saturday at home to Metropolitan Police) we could have challenged for a play-off spot.

“But now I’ve got to be realistic and if that means building for next season, then so be it.

“I’ve got three players to come back at the weekend so hopefully we’ll see a better result as I was reasonably pleased with tonight’s performance after Saturday’s efforts.”

Cray Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins on the other hand was an extremely happy man.

“Twenty-one unbeaten isn’t bad is it?” he said smiling afterwards.

And to be fair he had every right to smile because after weathering an early storm in which Walid Matata was lively for the home side and indeed was only denied the game’s opening goal by goalkeeper Glen Knight’s right boot.

Cray slowly got to grips of the game and took the lead just before the break when Michael Power, released by a fine ball from Ross Lover, lived up to his name by powering the ball into the roof of the Ashford net.

After the break the home side came out looking to equalise but failed to breech the Cray back line of Ryan Royston, Steve Aris and Mark Willy, who showed just why the Wands haven’t been beaten for so long.

The clinching goal six minutes from time also emphasised what a fine player Lover is.

He picked the ball up just inside the penalty area on the left angle and then curled an absolute gem up and over Ashford goalkeeper Jamie Riley into the top corner of the net to seal the victory.

Boss Jenkins said afterwards: “With Dover now out of sight it was disappointing we only drew at Whitstable on Saturday as this win leaves us just a point behind Tooting & Mitcham United, who we still have to play at their place.”

All in all these 90 minutes demonstrated what a great run Cray are on at the moment. Next up to try and stop them are Walton & Hersham this Sunday at Hayes Lane.

Ashford Town: Jamie Riley, Nick Humphrey, Dan Brathwaite, Sean Ray, Danny Lye, Ryan Briggs, Mitchell Sherwood, Anthony Hogg, Mark Lovell, Walid Matata, Nick Barnes.
Subs: Tony Browne, Scott Penfold, Aaron Freeman, James Humphrey, Sam Moore.

Cray Wanderers: Glen Knight, Aaron Day, Colin Luckett, Danny Chapman, Mark Willy, Ryan Royston, Ross Lover, Steve Aris, Lewis Wood, Michael Power (Tommy Whitnell 85), Jamie Wood.
Subs: Adam Cottrill, Dean Morris, Dean Hall, Tyrone Sterling.

Goals: Michael Power 35, Ross Lover 84