Cray notched up their first win of pre-season as a clinical second half display helped the Wands to a comprehensive victory against Holmesdale at Oakley Road. Andre McColln notched a second half hat-trick whilst Leigh Bremner helped himself to two goals just after the break.

Cray began the match well and didn’t take long to go in front. In the eighth minute a free kick 20 yards from goal out on the right wing saw full back Grant Basey strike a thunderous shot which flew past the home keeper to give Cray the lead.

The Wands had the better of the half but the home side with former Wands captain, Aaron Day in their side came close to scoring when much travelled forward Marcus Cassius was played through but his shot was well saved by Nick Blue.

Andre McCollin fired in another long range method which went just wide and just before half time James Duckworth who had a tremendous game was played in down the left and his shot from the edge of the area was tipped round the post by the Holmesdale keeper. From the resulting corner the ball was played out to Nick Reeves who volleyed over.

Half Time: 0-1

The second half saw the introduction of Leigh Bremner and this brought immediate dividends as Cray upped their game considerably after the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Cray scored a scrappy goal to go two up. A corner from the right by Duckworth was floated into the box but the keeper dropped the ball under pressure and Bremner prodded home the loose ball to score.

From here Cray’s class told and it was 3-0 on the hour when Bremner pounced after the keeper did well to block McCollin’s shot to fire low into the bottom corner.

A minute later Bremner set up Reece Deakin who fired over before he had to leave the field for injury. On 63 minutes McCollin scored his first goal of the game with another low, well struck shot tom make it 4-0.

It became 5-0 on 68 minutes following some excellent link up play between Duckworth and McCollin. Duckworth has terrific ability and showed great skill and vision to lay a perfect ball through to McCollin who clinically dispatched his shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Blue had to be alert to make a smart double stop to prevent the home side getting on the score sheet before Cray wrapped up the scoring in the 81st minute. Another excellent pass from Duckworth split the tired defence to find McCollin in acres of space and once again fired home clinically to claim his hat trick.

Cray were a lot sharper in their work than in their previous two games and certainly Duckworth, McCollin and Bremner look in fine fettle. Defensively the team looked more solid and with Helge Orome playing at right back he displayed his customary neat passing game and Basey looks like he could be a fan favourite following his two all action displays so far.

Cray’s next match is away to Kent Invicta League side, Glebe on Thursday evening (7.00pm) followed by a trip to Lordswood on Saturday.

Team: Blue, Orome, Reeves, Payne, Basey, Appiyah (Bremner), Dawson, Carpenter, trialist (Deakin, Lodge), Duckworth, McCollin