Trophy dream is over for Moneys

Moneyfields crashed out of the FA Trophy following a 4-1 defeat at Cray Wanderers.
Ryan Pennery netted for Moneyfields. Picture: Neil Marshall (171026-11)Ryan Pennery netted for Moneyfields. Picture: Neil Marshall (171026-11)
Ryan Pennery netted for Moneyfields. Picture: Neil Marshall (171026-11)

Ryan Pennery had cancelled out an early opener from Mitchell Nelson in the second qualifying round replay at Hayes Lane in Bromley.

However, it wasn’t to be for Moneys, who fell behind again to a deflected Michael Frieter effort before two Michael Power penalties compounded their misery.

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Cray, of the Isthmian League south division, will face National League South title-chasers Braintree Town in the third qualifying round on Saturday.

For Moneys, they will now resume their title charge in the Southern League east division with a trip to Cambridge City.

Cray, who have lost just once in 17 league fixtures this term, began the replay with the benefit of the blustery conditions.

Moneys had the first sight of goal, though. Dan Wooden won a ball in midfield before sliding Pennery in.

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However, the Moneys striker could only blaze over the crossbar after beating a Cray defender to open up space.

And Pennery’s frustration at the miss was compounded soon after when the home side opening the scoring.

Steve Mowthorpe had made a smart save from a one-on-one and also watched a Wanderers effort rattle his upright.

But the Moneys keeper was powerless to stop Nelson tapping home from a corner on 15 minutes.

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Shortly after the half-hour mark, Wooden and Joe Briggs combined to release Pennery again.

This time the striker’s effort was on target but Cray keeper Nick Blue tipped it over the crossbar.

Two minutes later Moneys boss Dave Carter was forced into a change as Brett Poate left the field with an injury.

He was replaced by Nathan Paxton before Cray’s Zak Henry was the first man into the book for a foul on Pennery.

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With time running out in the first half, Sam Pearce tested Blue with a 35-yard free-kick but the keeper made a decent stop to his right.

It took just seven minutes of the second half for Moneys to get back on level terms.

With the wind now at their backs, Pearce fed the ball down the channel for Pennery and the striker brilliantly lobbed Blue to make it 1-1.

Cray’s response was almost immediate, though. Frieter netted with a deflected shot on 55 minutes to put the hosts back in front.

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Moneys were next to press forward, with Wooden testing the keeper from long range as the game came to life.

Wooden again went close, only to see an effort cleared off the line by a Cray defender.

The hosts then won a penalty after catching Moneys out on the counter-attack.

And Power made no mistake with his spot-kick, firing Cray into a 3-1 lead.

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Moneys were refusing to go down without a fight, though. Pearce was next to go close as he rattled an upright with a free-kick.

Jake Raine then struck the bar with a stunning long-range strike before Wooden hit the frame of the goal with the rebound.

With 10 minutes remaining, Gary Austin replaced Pennery and soon after Briggs fired wide of the target.

Jamie Ford was booked as Moneys’ hopes of reaching the third qualifying round began fading fast in front of a crowd of 139 in Bromley.

The visitors’ misery was complete with one minute remaining when Power netted his second penalty to make it 4-1.

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