Non League Premier – Isthmian · Regular Season – 16
Cray Wanderers Cruise to Impressive Away Victory at Brentwood Town
Cray Wanderers produced a commanding performance on the road on Saturday, 31 October 2026, defeating Brentwood Town 1-4 in the Isthmian Premier Division to claim a thoroughly deserved three points. The Wands were made to work for their victory after being pegged back early in the contest, but ultimately their quality shone through as they pulled clear in convincing fashion to record a fine away win.
First Half: Yusuff Strikes Twice to Send Wands In Ahead
Cray Wanderers drew first blood on 21 minutes when A. Yusuff broke the deadlock to put the visitors ahead. The lead was short-lived, however, as Brentwood Town responded swiftly through Z. Suleyman on 26 minutes to level the contest at 1-1 and give the home side renewed belief. It was a moment that threatened to shift the momentum firmly in Brentwood’s favour, and the Wands were required to regroup and reassert their authority.
To their credit, Cray Wanderers did exactly that. Rather than retreating into uncertainty, they continued to press and were rewarded in the final moments of the first half when Yusuff struck again on 45 minutes to restore the visitors’ advantage. It was a crucial goal, sending the Wands into the interval leading 1-2 and ensuring that all the momentum heading into the second half belonged to the Kent side.
Second Half: Wands Pull Clear with Clinical Finishing
Brentwood Town needed a strong response after the break, but it was Cray Wanderers who continued to dictate the tempo. O. Ogunwamide extended the visitors’ lead on 65 minutes, making it 1-3 and effectively ending the contest as a competitive fixture. The goal was a hammer blow to Brentwood’s hopes of mounting any kind of comeback, and the home side had no answer to the Wands’ incisive play.
Just four minutes later, J. Ufuah added a fourth to complete a thoroughly professional away performance, with the scoreline reading 1-4 and leaving no doubt about which side had been the superior team on the day. The second half was a controlled, disciplined display from Cray Wanderers, who managed the game with composure and punished Brentwood whenever the opportunity arose. Notably, the match passed without a single caution for either side, a testament to the disciplined manner in which both teams conducted themselves throughout.
Man of the Match: A. Yusuff
There could be only one candidate for the man of the match award, and that honour fell to A. Yusuff, whose contribution was decisive in shaping the outcome of the contest. The forward scored twice — opening the scoring on 21 minutes and then delivering the vital second goal right on the stroke of half-time — and was a constant threat throughout the first half in particular. His ability to find the net at key moments, first to give Cray the lead and then to restore it after Brentwood’s equaliser, demonstrated a composure and clinical edge that proved the difference between the two sides. Yusuff’s double was the backbone of a victory that the Wands will look back on with considerable satisfaction.
What This Means for Cray Wanderers
The victory provides a timely boost for Cray Wanderers, who currently sit 19th in the Isthmian Premier Division with 12 points from 9 matches played. The Wands’ record of 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses reflects a side that has shown they are more than capable of competing at this level, and a performance of this quality away from home will do much to reinforce confidence within the camp. With games in hand over several of the sides around them in the table, Cray Wanderers will be eager to build on this result and continue climbing the standings as the season progresses.
Match timeline
21′ ⚽ A. Yusuff
26′ ⚽ Z. Suleyman- 45′ ⚽ A. Yusuff
- 65′ ⚽ O. Ogunwamide
- 69′ ⚽ J. Ufuah
Where Cray Wanderers sit in Non League Premier – Isthmian
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 |  Maldon & Tiptree | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | -17 | 15 |
| 18 |  Aveley | 13 | 4 | 2 | 7 | -1 | 14 |
| 19 | Cray Wanderers | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | +5 | 12 |
| 20 |  Three Bridges | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -13 | 9 |
| 21 |  Stanway Rovers | 13 | 2 | 1 | 10 | -20 | 7 |
Match data via api-football. Lineups, stats, ratings and league standings sourced live from the official feed at the time of publication.