The Wands were looking to build on Saturday’s FA Cup victory but remain at the bottom of the table following defeat to a well drilled Maldon & Tiptree side at Hayes Lane.

Cray made one change to the starting line up from Saturday, with Tom O’Connor in for the injured Ian Daly. There were few chances first half as both teams looked to find their way into the game. Cesc Fakinos floated a free kick over the top of the crossbar early on for Cray.

Tom O’Connor was involved a lot first half and he came closest to scoring in the 15th minute when Cesc’s corner found Ishmael Welsh who passed to Tom in space to hit a good shot that was tipped on to the post by Jack Giddins.

A minute later, Maldon showed for the first time when Kyle Asante lofted a shot wildly over the cross bar from Sam Gregory’s pass.

The Essex side didn’t take long though to take the lead and within a minute scored when Thomas Hayes showed good pace to work his way down the right and his ball across fell to Joe Pearman who slotted home a tidy finish.

Gary Beckett came close to levelling when he turned a shot wide of the goal but it was the visitors who dominated possession for the rest of the half and Gregory came close when he shot a decent strike over the crossbar.

Halt Time: 0-1

Cray started the second half with more purpose and Cesc’s corner to the back post was nodded wide by Max Fitzgerald. Tom O’Connor tested Giddins with a rather underhit shot not long after.

Maldon however were looking quite inventive on the break and increased their lead with a rather scruffy goal on 57 minutes. Asante worked his way inside the box and his shot was rather half hit but two Cray defenders on the line got in each other’s way trying to clear the ball and Hayes had a tap in from a yard out.

Hayes also hit the post for Maldon as they looked to increase their lead but Adrian Stone came close with a header on goal well saved by Giddins.

Cray did manage to reduce the arrears on 69 minutes when Stone rose highest to head home Jordan Bird’s well flighted free kick.

Despite a fair amount of possession Cray were unable to come up with an equaliser as Maldon cleverly saw the game out.

Cray’s night ended in more disappointment when Hussein Isa was sent off in injury time for a slightly late tackle.

Cray: Darren Behcet, Cesc Fakinos. Steve Springett (Jordan Bird, 55), Danny Lye (Capt.)(Hussein Isa, 63), Nick Humphrey, Max Fitzgerald, Gary Beckett, Pat O’Connor, Adrian Stone, Tom O’Connor, Ishmael Welsh. Subs: Dan Stubbs, Martin Dynan, Nick Taylor

Sent Off: Isa 90

Booked: Fakinos, T. O’Connor

Maldon: Jack Giddens, Danny Smith, Tommy Spillane, Danny Johnson (Capt.), Adalberto Pinto, Ollie Berquez, Thomas Hayes (Vinny Durrant, 85), Lewis Dark, Kyle Asante (Tony Martin, 63), Sam Gregory (Ben Sartain, 74) Joe Pearman

Booked: Asante, Pinto, Berquez

Referee: Mr. Oliver Jackson

Assistants: Louise Saunders, Ricky Adams

Attendance: 81

Match details

Match date

Tue 02 Sep 2014

Kickoff

19:45

Meet time

01:00

Attendance

Competition

Ryman North

Team overview

Cray Wanderers vs Maldon & Tiptree 2/9/14