Cray Ladies returned to Oxford Road for their first home game since the beginning of December. Welling United Women managed by Keith Boanas were the visitors. Welling the previous week had drawn at Hastings United, the first league points dropped by the seaside club this season, so it promised to be a tough challenge for Cray. Indeed that proved to be the case although Cray can take heart in their performance, with a number of positives to take from the afternoon.

The Cray defence had the benefit of Leanne Reidy making her debut, a vastly experienced player who Keith Boanas knew from his time as Charlton manager. Leanne was highly influential in encouraging her new teammates and utilising her undoubted talent plus experience at the heart of the defence. She fully deserved the nomination for opposition player of the match from Welling.

It took a quality finish on 22 minutes for Welling to finally make the breakthrough, Natalie Crinean with a delightful chip from the edge of the box giving Sam Sharp in goal no chance. The lead was extended two minutes later, Abi Potter-Scarborough the scorer. Shortly before the interval Grace Laverick added a third, a first time finish from Olivia McGregor's flick on.

The second half saw Cray having to defend for long periods. Sam Sharp in goal made a number of excellent saves throughout the game but could do nothing when Sarah White, with an acrobatic volley from 15 yards, added their fourth and final goal with just a few minutes remaining. At the end Keith Boanas bemoaned the lack of further goals from his side, particularly after some good delivery from set pieces, hopefully in part this had much to do with Cray's battling qualities.

Next Sunday sees Cray travel to the Gallagher Stadium to take on Maidstone United.

Cray Ladies line up: Sharp, Billings, D'Urso, Ready, Feagan, Jackson, Goldsmith, Chenery (c), Robertson, Gregory, Brown. Subs (roll on, roll off) Ashdown, Sales, Holmes.