LONDON SENIOR CUP FINAL
Wednesday 3rd May 2017 played at Dulwich Hamlet FC
Cray Valley (PM) 2 v Metropolitan Police 1
Goals: CV - Ben Francis 16, Aaron Rhule 61
MP - Sogbanmu 22
Attendance: 162

Cray Valley (PM): Jordan Cary, Alastair Gordon, Danny Smith, Laurence Collins (Joe Matthews, 69), Ashley Sains, Tyler McDonnell, Denzel Gayle, Jamie Miller, Ben Francis (Tom Fitzgerald, 40), Jason Thompson, Aaron Rhule (Enoch Adjei, 70). Unused subs: Frankie Griffin, Jamie Wood.
Manager: James Collins, Asst Mgr/Coach: Brad Sandeman, G/K Coach: Tony Hine, Physio; Courtney Dobson
Colours: Green & White

Metropolitan Police: Brannon Daly, Sam Williams (Rylan Myers, 40), Mekheil McLaughlin, Will Salmon, Ollie Robinson, Rob Bartley (Ahmed Abdulla, 70), Luke Robertson, Ola Sogbanmu (Orlando Smith, HT), Charlie Collins, Lloyd Macklin, Roman Michael-Percil. Unused subs: Ryan James, Jon Nurse.

Referee: Mr Andreas Anatasiou
Assistants: Mr Craig Kissi & Mr Michael Begley
Fourth Official: Mr Lee Brennan

Main Pic: 2017 The Millers winning team courtesy of the guys from In search of the Beautiful Game

Cray Valley Paper Mills won the London Senior Cup for the first time last Wednesday 3rd May as they beat Metropolitan Police FC at Champion Hill, Dulwich. They become the flowest ranked team (step 5) to lift the trophy. A second-half goal from Aaron Rhule separated the teams after a tense and exciting game which saw Cray Valley take the lead on two occasions.
The Blues’ defensive frailties were shown as early as the ninth minute when a ball into their penalty area was not cleared properly, giving both Ben Francis and Jason Thompson half-chances, before Ollie Robinson hooked the ball clear.
Thompson then brought an uncomfortable save from Brannon Daly, blocking the ball with his body at the near post.
If these were warnings to the Police, they went unheeded as, in the 16th minute, they didn’t close down Francis, who smashed a dipping 25-yard drive over Daly and off the underside of the crossbar into the net.
It took only six minutes for the Blues to reply. A corner from Charlie Collins was met with a thumping header from Ola Sogbanmu, giving Jordan Carey no chance.
In the 24th minute, Francis should have restored the Millers’ lead, but, following another scramble in the Police box, he side-footed the ball wide from five yards out when it was easier to score.
The game calmed down and the next two incidents were both very unfortunate, injuries to Francis and, scarily, Sam Williams of the Police. Williams slipped on the side of the pitch and crashed into the side of his team’s dugout.
Both players were replaced in the 40th minute, Tom Fitzgerald replacing Francis and Rylan Myers Williams, who was taken to hospital.
Just before half time, Rhule took too long when a chance presented itself. Just after the break, at which point Orlando Smith replaced Sogbanmu, Roman Michael-Percil fired a 20-yard drive which was caught just under the crossbar, at full stretch, by Carey.
Further Police pressure nearly resulted in a goal for Michael-Percil in the 54th minute, when his deflected shot was cleared by Alastair Gordon near the goal-line.
A few minutes later, Denzel Gayle was denied by a good low save from Daly. Within a minute, Orlando Smith fired over the crossbar after the Millers had failed to clear their lines.
The game was decided in the 61st minute when a through ball should have been cleared Mekheil McLaughlin, but he was called off by Daly’s call of “Keeper, keeper, keeper.”
When you call for the ball, you must get it, but Daly didn’t and RHULE was able to guide his header into the empty net.
With 20 minutes to go, the last three changes were made, Joe Matthews and Enoch Adjei taking over from Millers Laurence Collins and Rhule, while Ahmed Abdulla replaced Rob Bartley.
In the 71st minute, a hopeful ball into the box from Ollie Robinson was misdirected, but it resulted in a magnificent save from Carey as it arrowed just under the crossbar.
Met Police pushed for an equaliser in the last 10 minutes but Cray Valley kept men behind the ball and ensured they were hard to break down, keeping the boys in blue at bay.

The full time whistle was met by delight by Cray Valley fans and players alike, who had the perfect ending to what has been a fantastic season for them.
London FA would like to thank all those who have helped out with the Senior Cup this season, including players, coaches, supporters, officials, sponsors and volunteers. It has been a fantastic tournament and we couldn’t have done it without all of your hard work.

Match Action from the final at DHFC

Cray Valley opening goal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Io0dtMPCsA
Video: Ben Francis hits a stunning volley to fire the Millers into a 16th minute lead in the Final of the London Senior Cup at Champion Hill!https://www.facebook.com/275921759208681/videos/1904429963024511
Video: Aaron Rhule with what proved to be the winner.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1906767972790710&id=275921759208681

Match Report, Photos and Video; Two Men in Search of the Beautiful Game
http://beautifulgame2015.blogspot.com/2017/05/what-wednesday-night-cray-valley-paper.html

Other Reports:
Stephen McCartney reports from Champion Hill Stadium
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/craymet030517

Road to the Final - London Senior Cup
Summary (see below for full match details)
R1 Cray Valley (PM) HW v Croydon
R2 Welling United 1 v Cray Valley (PM) 3
QF Cray Valley (PM) 2 v AFC Wimbledon 1
SF Cray Valley PM) 3 v Dulwich Hamlet 2

Cup Final Match Day Programme Pen Pics:
Jordan Carey: Goalkeeper
A very good young keeper with a fantastic character, who should go far in the game. EX Brentford scholar signed from Margate in October, who has been excellent for us since in joined the club.
Alaistair Gordon: Defender
Another player in his second spell at the club. Alastair has come in and played very well at right back and chipped in with a winner at Tunbridge Wells recently.
Danny Smith: Defender
Has made the left back slot his own this tear. A scouser that was once on Everton's books as a youngster. Comfortable on the ball, great at going forward.
Laurence Collins: Defender
Ex Chatham Town left back who has converted to centre half this season. Reads the game very well and talks nonstop. Loves a tackle and has a great left foot.
Ashley Sains: Defender
Another player that followed James from Lordswood. Ever present this year and the first name on the team sheet. Young and solid, plays like an old fashioned centre half.
Taylor McDonagh: Defender / Midfield
Can play anywhere across the back line and in midfield.IN his second spell with the Millers and has been ever present this year. A versatile player and technically very good.
Denzel Gayle: Midfield / Striker
Has been brilliant for us this year. Denzel has pace to burn and has scored some important goals.
Jamie Miller: Midfield
Part of the 'Engine Room' of the team. HIs non-stop running and tackling have been an important part of our success this season and he's even scored a goal.
Ben Francis: Striker
Signed from Dartford after a successful loan period,. Ben is an old fashion centre forward. Has great pace and destined to play at a higher level in the future.
Jason Thompson: Midfield
Great left peg and the team's dead ball specialist. An experienced midfielder who starred in Whyteleafe's Championship winning side a couple of seasons ago.
Aaron Rhule: Midfield
Signed recently from Thamesmead Tow, Aaron is an old fashion winger who runs for fun with the ball and has a great delivery.
Joe Matthews: Defender
Joe has been with us for what seems like years and is a quality central defender who reads the game well, and does the 'ugly' part of the game when needed.
Frankie Griffin: Defender
A promising youngster who joined from Lordswood at the start of the season. A solid right back who can also play centre half.
Jamie Wood: Midfield
Skipper, the old man of the team. Some might say he should have stopped playing but he enjoys himself too much! Hopefully has one more year in him.
Enoch Adjei: Midfield
A late signing for us, has done well since he came in and has two very quick feet.
Tom Fitzgerald : Defender/Midfield/Striker
Mr Versatile, Tom has played in almost every position for us this year. He works his socks off and has great feet for a tall lad.

Road to the Final
Full match details
Tues 7-Feb 2017 LONDON SENIOR CUP (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) SECOND ROUND
Welling United 1 v Cray Valley (PM) 3
Goals: WU - Dubois 44
CV - Youngs (pen) 9, 72, Fitzgerald 73
Attendance 80

Cray Valley: Jordan Carey, Frankie Griffin, Laurence Collins (Alastair Gordon 58), Tom Fitzgerald, Joe Matthews, Taylor McDonagh, Ryan Fowler, Jamie Miller, Scott Reilly (Ben Francis 50), Tom Youngs, Aaron Rhule (Danny Smith 58). Unused subs: Jamie Wood, Jason Thompson.

Cray Valley PM pulled of a well deserved win at Park View Road and it took them just nine minutes to go ahead. Sam Hatton pulled down Aaron Rhule and Tom Youngs stepped up to send Paul Agu the wrong way. After a Youngs effort crashed back off the crossbar, Pierre Joseph-Dubois equalised for the Wings, just before the break. Two goals in three second half minutes secured the win for the Millers as Ryan Fowler played a low defence splitting square ball to find Youngs and he smashed home gleefully. Then Tom Fitzgerald won a tackle in midfield before firing a shot from 30 plus yards that Age could only watch into the corner of the net.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1846741388793369&type=3

Match Report and Photos courtesy of Kent Sport News:
https://www.kentsportsnews.com/welling-united-1-3-cray-valley-pm-07-02-2017/

Thurs 16-Mar 2017 LONDON SENOIR CUP (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) QUARTER-FINAL
Cray Valley (PM) 2 v AFC Wimbledon 1
Goals: CV - Francis 37, Fowler 90+1 (pen)
AFC W - Kaja (pen) 88
Attendance 125

Cray Valley: Jordan Carey, Alastair Gordon, Laurence Collins, Jamie Miller, Taylor McDonagh, Aaron Sekhon (Ashley Sains 29), Enoch Adjei, Ryan Fowler, Ben Francis (Tom Fitzgerald 48), Jason Thompson (Chandler Kasai 71), Denzel Gayle.
Subs: Cem Tumkaya, Nick Harvey

Stephen McCartney reports from DSG Marine Stadium
CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) assistant manager Bradley Sandeman says celebrating their maiden victory against a Football League outfit is great for the club.
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/crayafcw160317

Video: Added time penalty scored by Ryan Fowler sends the Millers through in the London Senior Cup
https://www.facebook.com/275921759208681/videos/1870680709732770
Video: Ben Francis opens the scoring for the Millers in the London Senior Cup win over AFCW
https://www.facebook.com/275921759208681/videos/1870679586399549

Thurs 20-Apr 2017 LONDON SENIOR CUP (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) SEMI-FINAL
Cray Valley (PM) 3 v Dulwich Hamlet 2 after extra time
Goals: CV - McDonagh 73, Francis 84, Rhule ET3
DH - Dumaka 17, Akinyemi 30
Attendance 196

Cray Valley: Jordan Carey, Alastair Gordon, Danny Smith, Laurence Collins, Ashley Sains, Taylor McDonagh, Denzel Gayle, Jamie Miller (Joe Matthews 25), Ben Francis (Jamie Wood 110), Jason Thompson (Enoch Adjei 70), Aaron Rhule.
Subs: Aaron Sekhon, Chandler Kasai

highlights and match report see link below
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/videos/cray-valley-pm-3-2-dulwich-hamlet-london-senior-cu-108038.html
Video: Aaron Rhule scores the extra time winner in the London FA Senior Cup Semi-Final
https://www.facebook.com/275921759208681/videos/1896113587189482

Other Reports
Stephen McCartney reports from DGS Marine Stadium
PROUD Cray Valley manager Jamie Collins says nobody gave his side a chance to reach the London Senior Cup (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) Final for the first time.
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/craydulw200417

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