Cray started on the front foot and Ishmael Welsh fired a shot wide and then Ian Daly’s shot was blocked for a corner. However, from this corner Barkingside took the lead in the tenth minute. Steve Carvell showed great pace to get into the box and although his shot was saved by Nick Taylor, John Bricknell fired home the rebound. Carvell also shot wide of the goal before Cray started to get back into the game.

Cray forced a few corners and from one of these, a goalmouth scramble let to Daly shooting wide. He also came close on the half hour when he was put through and as the keeper advanced Daly poked the ball wide of the goal.

Cray were not to be denied and levelled on 37 minutes when Cesc Fakinos’ free kick into the box was flicked on and Pat O’Connor turned to shoot home from close range.

There was still time before half time for Barkingside to come close when Calvin Poku’ cross shot went across the goal and was turned wide for a corner.

Half Time: 1-1

Barkingside began the second half where they left off and Poku wastefully shot wide went put clean through. Dan Stubbs tested Chris Clark in the Barkingside goal with a fine angled shot, before Poku again found himself in a good position and forced a save from Taylor’s legs.

Daly came close to scoring when he worked his way into the box and his effort was parried by the keeper. He wasn’t to be denied for long and on 61 minutes he picked up a loose ball and ran on and struck a fine goal to the keeper’s left.

Barkingside were still very much in the game and twice Richard Oxby fired wide from just outside the area. With the game about to enter its final five minutes the game took a dramatic turn when after a decent passing move, Carvell finished well from Chris Taylor’s pass.

A minute later just when it seemed the game was heading for a draw slack defending allowed Daly an opportunity to score which he tucked away via a rebound off the keeper.

Still Barkingside pressed and the unlucky Poku struck the post following a goalmouth scramble and tested Taylor again as the game entered injury time.

There was still time for Cray to put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal when Stubbs’ fine pass fell to O’Connor who finished with a perfect chip over the advancing Clark to wrap up a dramatic evening’s entertainment.

The game was helped by a fine performance from the match officials who allowed the game to flow when they could and got all decisions correct.

Cray: Nick Taylor, Cesc Fakinos. Steve Springett, Danny Lye (Capt.), Martin Dynan, Dmitri Larin, Dan Stubbs, Pat O’Connor, Shaun Welford, Ian Daly, Ishmael Welsh.

Subs: Tom O’Connor, Gary Beckett, Max Fitzgerald, Adrian Stone, Darren Behcet

Booked: Welford

Barkingside: Chris Clark, Dan Hayes, Dan Callaway, Joe Ellul, Corey Ellis (Chris Taylor, 78) Richard Oxby, Dion Polious, John Bricknell (Jason Fontaine, 69) Steve Carvell, Matt Gulfer (Capt.), Calvin Poku: Subs: Gabriel Onierti, Stefano Georgiou, Tim Pittman

Booked: Callaway, Gulfer

Referee: Mr. Saul Kay

Attendance: 86