FIRST TEAM
At a Glance:
Final League Position SCEFL Premier Division 10th
Disappointing end to the league season with no wins in the final 7 games. Highlight though was a decent SCEFL Challenge Cup run ultimately losing at the semi final stage over two legs against Erith & Belvedere in extra time. Earlier rounds had seen wins over Tunbridge Wells, Erith Town and Deal Town.

Paul Gross resigned at the end of his second year in charge. James Collins was appointed manager for season 2016/17.

Appearances: (All competitions - inc sub - total 48 games)
Tommy Osborne 45, Rory Hill 41, Brad Potter 39, Adam Gross 37, Taylor McDonagh 35, Bryon Walker 32, Paul Gross 30, Marcus Elliott 25, Greg Benbow 25, Lee Craig 24, Joe Matthews 23, Luke Harvey 21,Jimmy Rogers 21, Jamie Miller 20, Corey Holder 20, Charles Ofusu-Hene 18, Lawrence James 17, Robert French 15, Jordan Sandiford 13, Alwyn Jones 12, Ben Healy 11, Uche Ibemere 10, Mohammed Kaffo 10, Stevie Sutton 10, Jamie Warren 9, Jim Doherty 9, Bradley Morgan 9, Luke Colquhoun 9, Alex Chambers 7, Chandler Kasai 6, + 19 players with 5 or less appearances.

Top Goalscorers: Rory Hill 17, Bryan Walker 15, Luke Harvey 13, Marcus Elliott 9, Bradley Potter 5, Paul Gross 4, Green Benbow 3, Taylor McDonagh 2, Tommy Osborne 2, Jimmy Rogers 2, Jordan Sandiford 2, Adam Sherlock 2, Luke Saggers 1, Charles Ofusu-Hene 1, Alwyne Jones 1, Mohammed Kaffo 1, Corey Holder 1, Adam Gross 1, Joe Bingham 1.

See link for full details, from league table click on individual club name for more in depth info.
https://fulltime-league.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=687515543&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=7949964&selectedCompetition=0

DEVELOPMENT U23 TEAM
Suburban League South Division
First season in the Suburban League finishing a creditable 4th
https://fulltime-league.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=72698080&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=239985049&selectedCompetition=0

Suburban Challenge U21 Plate Finalists
30-Apr 2016 played at Northwood Middlesex
Tring Athletic 2 v Cray Valley 1

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1681078772026299&type=3

LADIES TEAM
South East Counties Women's League Division 1 East
Final position: 1st / 9
Cray Valley first ever ladies team and they are crowned League Champions and Cup Finalists.
https://fulltime-league.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=569804070&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=3210856&selectedCompetition=0

Chairmans Cup Finalists
Faversham Town 1 Cray Valley 0 aet played at The Gallagher Stadium Maidstone
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1680442965423213&type=3

YOUTH TEAMS

U15
Kent Youth League North Division final position 7th
P22 W10 D2 L10 F 43 A 51 GD -8 PTS 32
http://archive.kentyouthleague.co.uk/tables/1516/U15N

U14
Kent Youth League North Division final position 4th
P16 W9 D2 L5 f 37 A 20 GD 17 PTS 29
http://archive.kentyouthleague.co.uk/tables?show_season=1516&tournament_id=U14N

FIRST TEAM SEASON MATCH BY MATCH WITH REPORTS AND PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVES WHERE AVAILABLE
In date order all competitions.

Sat 8-Aug 2015 SECFL
Cray Valley 3 v Lordswood 0
Goals: CV - Hill 10, Harvey 40, Sherlock 90
Attendance: 76

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/photos/a.1564679976999513/1564684113665766

Mon 10-Aug 2015 SECFL
Fisher 2 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: F- Luke Haidarovic 18 (penalty), Will Agbo 90
CV- (Adam Marsh sent off 60)
Attendance: 112
Cray Valley: Luke Colquhoun, Tommy Osborne, Adam Gross, Ben Healy, Aiden Sherlock, Joe Matthews (Lee Craig 65), Rory Hill, Frankie Warren (Paul Gross 71), Adam Marsh, Luke Harvey (Jim Doherty 16), Uche Ibemere.
Sub: Greg Benbow
Stephen McCartney reports from Champion Hill Stadium
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/fishercrayval100815

Sat 15-Aug 2015 FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
Cray Valley 5 v Ashford United 1
Goals: CV - Aiden Sherlock 27, Alwayne Jones 31, Rory Hill 45+2, 81, 85
AU -Darren Marsden 63
Attendance: 100

Rory Hill finding the back of the net on his way to a winning hat trick.
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1567467143387463
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1568087483325429&type=3

Sat 22-Aug 2015 SECFL
Tunbridge Wells 2 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: TW - Barton 34 pen, Parsons 75
CV - Aiden Sherlock sent off 32
Attendance 160

Captain Tommy Osborne number 2 looks on.
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1570801269720717
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1571045876362923&type=3

Sat 29-Aug 2015 FA CUP Preliminary Round
Cray Valley 0 v Hastings United 3
Goals: HU- Smith 7, Ray 63, 70
Attendane: 117

Tempers fray!
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1573694259431418&type=3

Sat 5-Sep 2015 SECFL
Cray Valley 1 v Erith & Belvedere 0
Goals: CV- Rory Hill 51
Attendance: 68

Rory Hill scoring the only goal of the game.
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1576773795790131
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1577151602419017&type=3

Weds 9-Sep 2015 SCEFL
Corinthian 2 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: C- Axell 20, Hirrel 29 (pen)
CV- Rogers 53
Attendance: 66
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1578529372281240

Sat 12-Sep 2015 SCEFL
Holland & Blair 3 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: H&B- Michelson 29, 90, Greenfield (pen) 88
Attendance: 71

Millers keeper Luke Colquhoun in action.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1580582462075931&type=3

The Millers manager Paul Gross, who started this match due to the absence of a trio of recognised centre halves, bemoaned his side’s bad luck after a match in which they dominated for long spells.
Neither keeper were troubled early on and the biggest scare for Luke Colquhoun in the Millers came when Jordan Gallagher’s cross from left bounced on the top of his crossbar after 11 minutes.
Rory Hill saw a free kick cleared out to Jimmy Rogers soon after but the midfielder’s shot rose over the top of the goal.
With the Millers pressing, Blair keeper Dan Ellis collected a back pass inside his area which gave the visitors a free, a couple of yards inside the Blair area. Adam Gross tapped the ball for Hill but his shot was charged down before Jim Doherty blasted the rebound over.
After 23 minutes Luke Harvey was put clean through on goal but Ellis narrowed the angles and was able to deflect Harvey’s shot wide with the Millers, seemingly, in control.
But that all changed five minutes later as the ball deflected wide of the Millers goal off a Blair striker, and all the players preparing for a goal kick, the referee inexplicably awarded a corner kick!
Despite the Millers heated arguments, the corner was swung into the near post and Tom Michelson rose above his marker to guide a header across the goal to put the home side in front.
But the Millers responded as Adam Gross hit a 30 yard free kick into the wall before a Tommy Osborne cross was met by Harvey at the near post but his header arrowed narrowly wide.
Blair were enjoying a fair bit of good possession but rarely troubled the Millers defence as crosses or passes went astray but a free kick after 38 minutes saw Colquhoun save Michelson’s shot before Sam Presscott’s was blocked before the danger was eventually cleared.
But maybe the biggest turning point arrived after 42 minutes as Lee Craig pumped a long ball up field. As Harvey challenged for the high ball, Blair defender Stuart West could only head the ball back towards his goalkeeper. Hill, who was at least 5 yards onside when the ball was kicked, ran through to collect the ball and was one on one with Ellis in the home goal. But an assistant referee raised his flag to signal offside against the Millers midfielder to halt a goal scoring opportunity.
On hearing the referee’s whistle, an understandably frustrated Hill kicked the ball goalwards and was subsequently cautioned for his troubles and the home side were able to take their lead into the break.
The Millers came out in determined mood for the second half and began strongly. Uche Ibemere’s storming run and cross was cleared out to Hill who drove his angled shot narrowly wide of the post before Frankie Warren also saw a shot go wide of the mark.
With the Millers throwing caution to the wind in the search for an equaliser, Blair were looking to counter attack and Michelson hit a shot off target before manager Paul Gross saw yellow as he stopped Luke Fewsdale’s breakaway on halfway.
Try as they might though, the Millers couldn’t find a way past a dogged home defence and as they pressed higher, so chances for the home side became more frequent as they exploited the gaps being left at the heart of the Millers defence.
And after Michelson saw another shot rise over the top of the goal, and Paul Gross and midfielder Warren replaced by the more attack minded Adam Marsh and Alwayne Jones, Colquhoun was called into action again to save from point blank range from Blair substitute Emmanuel Abe.
With just 3 minutes of time remaining, the home side forced a corner and as it was being prepared to be taken, the referee held up play to talk to Harvey and a Blair attacker, who were pulling each other on the goal line. Then, as the corner was eventually swung over, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, presumably for another tug that only he saw, and then cautioned the Millers striker for his part in the award.
Bryan Greenfield stepped up to dispatch the spot kick high into the roof of the net to seal the Millers fate.
But that wasn’t the end of the drama as into added time, Colquhoun rushed out to the edge of his penalty area to collect a ball pumped forward. His momentum took him outside his area as he collected and he was forced to drop the ball. As tried to kick the ball clear, he lost the ball to Sam Welch who played the ball into the unmarked Michelson. Adam Gross blocked Michelson’s first goal attempt on the line, but could do nothing with the rebound as Michelson calmly slotted home with Colquhoun stranded.
Paul Gross now has a week to prepare his squad for the visit to Badgers of Sevenoaks Town next Saturday as the Millers look to add to their winning home form of two wins out of two.

Sat 19-Sep 2015 SCEFL
Cray Valley 4 v Sevenoaks Town 1
Goals: CV- Hill 10, Rogers 17, Harvey 45, Saggers 89
ST- Sawyer 75
Attendance: 44

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1583313371802840&type=3

Cray Valley PM recorded a third consecutive League home win with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Sevenoaks Town at Badgers on Saturday.
The Millers, still without a point away from Badgers, started the match on the front foot and the early pressure told on Sevenoaks Town goalkeeper Richard Stroud who picked up a yellow card for handling the ball outside of his area after just 3 minutes.
The first chance of the game fell to Rory Hill after 6 minutes when Jimmy Rogers squared the ball to the Millers midfielder after Uche Ibemere had bemused full back Reece Butler, but Hill was left to hold his head in his hands as he blasted his shot from 12 yards over the top of the goal.
Hill made amends for that miss just 4 minutes later as Greg Benbow’s cross was half cleared out to the edge of the penalty area where Hill came flying in to hit a stunning volley into the bottom corner of the goal.
The Oaks lively centre midfielder Chan Quan was felled on the edge of the Millers area soon after and Butler’s free kick hit the outside of debut keeper Michael Hunter’s post.
Surviving that scare, the Millers went up the other end of the pitch and doubled their lead as Luke Harvey played a square ball into the path of Jimmy Rogers who confidently side footed the ball, low into the corner of the goal from 18 yards.
Now playing with a confidence that goals can bring, the Millers pressed forward and Tommy Osborne’s cross deceived Stroud but both Harvey and Benbow were denied adding to the score line as the Oaks defence blocked their efforts on the line.
Just past the half hour mark, with the Millers camped in the Sevenoaks half, Michael Fahm’s quick break was ended by Osborne’s block on halfway to earn the Millers skipper his first yellow card of the season.
Still the Millers pressed and Stroud did well to smother at the feet of Alwayne Jones after he had turned his marker on the edge of the area.
And just seconds before the half time break, Ibemere tricked Butler once more and felled the Millers winger. Adam Gross whipped in the free kick towards the near post for Harvey to head the ball in to send the Millers into the break with a three goal advantage.
The Oaks, unbeaten in their previous four matches, brought on new signing Frankie Sawyer for the start of the second half and they put the Millers under some early pressure as they looked to get back into the match.
The Millers though were defending resolutely and keeper Hunter, signed from East Grinstead Town on Friday, was relatively untroubled as Lee Craig and the returning Brad Potter kept the visitors at arm’s length.
Weathering the early storm, the Millers responded and after Butler was cautioned for another trip on Ibemere, Jones hit a shot just wide before Harvey appeared to be hauled down in the Oaks penalty area, but the referee deciding against awarding a penalty kick as play continued.
Tom Skelton hit a free kick just wide of the Millers goal before Craig saw his header from a corner kick hacked off the line as the match swung from end to end.
Jones again shot wide from the edge of the box before the visitors pulled a goal back with 15 minutes remaining. Quan’s mazy run took him into the box before his mis-cued shot rolled across the face of the goal where Sawyer had a simple tap in at the far post.
Rather than inspiring the visitors, the goal only spurred on the Millers and only an out-stretched leg of Stroud denied substitute Luke Saggers’ shot before Jones was twice denied in quick succession. First a header from a corner kick was again cleared off the line before Stroud blocked the striker’s shot after Saggers’ through ball as the Millers finished the match with a flourish.
Saggers, 14 goals in 7 appearances for the Under 21 Development side this season, grabbed the Millers fourth in the 90th minute as he latched onto a through ball and as Stroud came out, Saggers confidently passed the ball beyond the keeper on the 18 yard line, to nestle into the back of the net.
Hunter had to dive low to keep out a powerful Sawyer shot in added time but the Millers dominant performance was not to be denied.
Next for the Millers is a trip to Princes Park for a League fixture with Greenwich Borough on Tuesday evening where manager Paul Gross will be hoping to take this home form into an away match.

Tues 22-Sep 2015 SCEFL
Greenwich Borough 3 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: GB- Phillips22, Zanone31, Alexander 40
CV- Luke Harvey 29
Attendance: 62

Cray Valley PM fell to a fifth consecutive League defeat at Greenwich Borough on Tuesday evening to leave manager Paul Gross wondering if the footballing gods are conspiring against him!
The Boro, who named a very attack minded line up, were missing the influential Peter Sweeney through injury, but they came out of the starting blocks quickly and put the Millers under early pressure.
Jack Clark saw a free kick on the edge of the Millers area blocked by the defensive wall before Greg Benbow’s cross from the left almost caught out Boro keeper Craig Holloway, as the ball bounced behind off the near post.
For the next 15 minutes, it was one way traffic as the home side set about the Millers defence.
Stuart Zanone saw a shot from a tight angle saved by Michael Hunter before the Boro striker found himself one on one with the Millers keeper but put his tame shot harmlessly wide of the goal.
Gary Alexander then saw a shot blocked by the Millers defence before Hunter had to palm over a Zanone header. And from the resulting corner kick, driven in low towards the near post, Danny Phillips glanced a volley through the packed defence and into the Millers goal.
The Millers though were back level 7 minutes later as Rory Hill set Greg Benbow away down the left wing. Getting wide of his marker, Benbow delivered the perfect cross to the far post for Luke Harvey to volley home his third goal of the season.
But parity wasn’t to last long as the Boro immediately went up the other end and as Hunter and his defence hesitated as the ball rolled into the Millers area, Zanone slipped in to knock the ball home.
Harvey then fired a shot wide of the goal from an acute angle before the match threatened to boil over. After Lee Craig and Alexander clashed in midfield, Jake Britnell appeared to slap Rory Hill but the referee merely gave verbal warnings to the players involved and no further action was taken.
And five minutes before the break, a Boro free kick from their left was driven into the area by Clark. Hunter was right behind the shot but the ball fell out of his grasp and Alexander was the grateful recipient as he stabbed the ball home to send the Boro into the break with a 3-1 advantage.
The second half saw the Boro seemingly content with their lead and defended deep in their own half as they frustrated the Millers who were unable to break down a well marshalled home defence.
The Millers were enjoying plenty of possession and working their hardest, but despite their best efforts, couldn’t find a way past the sometimes packed Boro defence.
Paul Gross’ side did have one late chance to pull a goal back, but Adam Gross’ free kick from 18 yards went flying past the outside of the post.
That’s not to say that it was a dull 45 minutes of football as both sides keenly contested every ball but neither goal was seriously threatened, a lone Alexander free kick easily held by Hunter the exception, as the Boro comfortably saw out the match.
The Millers drop to 14th in the League table following this result, 6 points above bottom clubs Croydon and Rochester United, while all the teams below, except Croydon, have games in hand.
The Millers next face a clash with Canterbury City at Badgers on Saturday in what has to be a must win fixture for Paul Gross’ team!

Sat 26-Sep 2015 SCEFL
Cray Valley 1 v Canterbury City 3
Goals: CV- Luke Harvey 79
CC- Tommy Osborne og 2, Sam Hallett 75, Rob Lawrence 87 (Gonzalez-Bello sent off 45)
Attendance: 35

Canterbury appear to be wearing a set of Cray's spare shorts to avoid a clash. Clearly blue & green don't go but they weren't bothered as they left with all three points.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1586612844806226&type=3

Sat 3-Oct 2015 FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Banstead Athletic 2 v Cray Valley 6
Goals: BA- Bradley 26, White 28
CV- Luke Harvey 10, 54, 77, 82, Hill 73, P Gross 90+1
See separate section CHALLENGE CUP & FA VASE 2015/16 for full match report and pictures.

Weds 7-Oct 2016 See separate section CHALLENGE CUP & FA VASE 2015/16
First Round: Tunbridge Wells Home Won 2-2 aet (4-3 on penalties)

Sat 10-Oct 2015 SCEFL
Crowborough Athletic 4 v Cray Valley 3
Goals: CA- Treleavan 8, Carrington 36,83, Ridley 89
CV- Byron Walker 18, 22, Harvey 74
Attendance 109

Goal for the Millers.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1590899284377582&type=3

After the euphoria progressing in the FA Vase and League Cup in the last seven days, Cray Valley PM came crashing back down to earth with a sixth consecutive away League defeat at the hands of Crowborough Athletic on Saturday.
Despite being twice in front in this match, the Millers away hoodoo in the League continued as the Crows scored twice in the last ten minutes to seal a dramatic 4-3 win for the home side.
The Crows took the lead after just nine minutes, after new signing from Erith & Belvedere Byron Walker, had forced home keeper Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke into an early save.
But the Crows went up the other end and Scott Treleaven, despite being surrounded by defenders on the corner of the Millers penalty area, was allowed to get his shot away, which curled around Stevie Sutton to nestle in the far corner of the goal.
The Millers though pressed forwards with Taylor McDonagh looking dangerous on the right wing as Jimmy Rogers and Rory Hill pulled the strings in midfield.
And it was from a McDonagh through ball that sent Walker scampering past the home defence to slot the ball past the out-rushing Stroomberg-Clarke to equalise after 18 minutes.
Hill fired a shot just past the outside of the home goal as the Millers enjoyed possession and they increased their lead after 22 minutes.
Ryan Sawyer hit a high ball towards the Crows penalty area and as Stroomberg-Clarke and Dan Tear came out for the ball, Walker jumped in between them to head the ball over the stranded keeper and into the unguarded net from the edge of the penalty area.
The Millers then relaxed their grip on the match and allowed the Crows to press forward. Jon Shea’s dangerous cross was hacked away before Brad Potter had to clear from Sam Carrington, with home support claiming a penalty but the referee saw nothing but a very good, and clean, tackle.
Luke Harvey saw Stroomberg-Clarke turn his shot around the post before Sutton did the same at the other end, turning away Carrington’s shot as the team’s swopped opportunities.
The home side levelled things up after 37 minutes though as a Callum Ridley free kick from the left was delivered deep to the far post. Centre half Jason Hollick headed the ball back across the face of the goal for Carrington to head the ball into the goal from six yards.
Adam Gross hit a free kick for the Millers over the bar before Sutton again had to clear from Carrington but could only watch as Ridley, thankfully, fired the rebound wide.
Just before the break, Greg Benbow’s cross was headed goalwards by McDonagh but the ball was hacked clear as Harvey looked to divert.
Just after the restart, Walker was blatantly pushed in the back on the edge of the Crows penalty area as he looked to be in the clear, but the referee allowed play to continue as the ball was hacked clear and Carrington put the ball in the net only for the ‘goal’ to be ruled out for offside.
The Millers were again enjoying the majority of the possession but chances were coming and going as Benbow’s cross flew across the face of the goal without getting a touch from anyone before Hill burst into the box from Harvey’s pass and from a tight angle, his shot took a deflection before hitting the outside of the post and going out of play.
Walker then saw a shot deflected into the grateful arms of Stroomberg-Clarke before Sutton palmed away Shea’s stinging effort. Walker saw another shot blocked before putting the rebound over the bar. Carrington then got himself between Sawyer and Sutton but headed wide as the match, still poised at 2 all, swung from end to end.
Moments after player/manager Paul Gross entered the field of play, brother Adam Gross delivered a corner kick from the right hand side and Harvey came off the post to glance a header into the goal to put the Millers back in front with just about 15 minutes remaining.
The Millers then went for the kill and Stroomberg-Clarke denied Harvey, blocking the striker’s powerful effort before Paul Gross’ miss-hit effort from 12 yards rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.
The Crows though, held their nerve and hit the Millers with the ultimate sucker punch to claw their way back on level terms in the 81st minute.
Sutton’s clearance was headed back into the Millers half and Carrington, looking at least a couple of yards offside as he walked back towards the half way line, looked up and saw that the linesman was happy to see play continue.
Now in the clear, Carrington lifted his shot over the advancing Sutton and into the goal.
Buoyed by this slice of good fortune, the Crows took advantage in the 87th minute as Scott Treleaven hurled a throw-in towards the near post. Carrington flicked the ball on and Ridley, unmarked at the far post, had the simple task of tapping the ball home from close range.
The Millers tried in vain to grab a late equaliser as another Adam Gross corner kick missed everyone as the ball flew across the face of the goal before Walker’s cross was contested by a posse of players at the far post. The ball dropped to a standstill, almost on the goal line and as everyone stopped and waited for someone to put the ball in the net, no-one did and Stroomberg-Clarke was relieved to be able to fall on the ball and secure the win for his team.

The Millers remain in 15th place in the League table after this defeat but have played one match more than the four teams below them, who are all now within 3 points of Paul Gross’ team.
The Millers will now be looking to keep away from the danger area of the League table by picking up three points from Wednesday evening’s fixture at Badgers with AFC Croydon Athletic who themselves, are just one place and two points above the Millers.
Come On You Millers!

Weds 14-Oct 2015 SCEFL
Cray Valley 1 v AFC Croydon 1
Goals: CV- Walker 2
AFC C- Blake 14
Attendance: 35
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1592215334245977
Video: Byron Walker opens the scoring for the Millers against AFC Croydon Athletic at Badgers!
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/videos/1592357170898460

Sat 17-Oct 2015 KENT RELIANCE SENIOR TROPHY
Cray Valley 3 v Deal Town 1
Goals: CV- Greg Benbow 4, 43, McDonagh 87
DT- Scott 89
Attendance: 45

Tommy Osborne in picture along with Millers keeper Steve Sutton in red.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1593295074138003&type=3

Cray Valley PM eased into the third round of the Kent Reliance Senior Trophy as Greg Benbow’s first goals of the season help the Millers to a 3-1 win over Deal Town at Badgers on Saturday.
Both sides had early chances as Rory Hill and Ryan Philpott both fired shots wide of the target before the Millers took the lead after 4 minutes.
Tommy Osborne sent Byron Walker scampering away down the right. Walker cut inside his marker and hit low cross across the front of the goal and Benbow was on hand on the six yard line to turn the ball past Roddy Hayward in the Deal goal.
Paul Gross, playing up front in place of the injured Luke Harvey, then headed a Ben Healy cross straight at Hayward before the visitors had a great chance to equalise after 18 minutes but Charlie Walsh, collecting the ball inside the Millers penalty area, scuffed his shot wide of the far post from just 8 yards out.
Hayward was working hard to keep his team in the game as he denied Taylor McDonagh and Byron Walker as the Millers upped the tempo before Stevie Sutton was called into action, moving quickly off his line to clear from Rene Rivera.
The woodwork then denied Rivera as his flick on from a corner kick hit the near post and bounced kindly for Sutton to gather.
The Hoops were putting the home defence under some immense pressure but the Millers were able to break free from their shackles in the 43rd minute to double their advantage.
Walker broke away down the left and as he turned towards the penalty area, he squared the ball to Gross who quickly moved the ball on again for Benbow to fire a shot across the keeper and into the far corner of the goal.
Philpott then headed a cross against the Millers crossbar as the Hoops responded but the half time whistle soon ended their efforts.
The second half appeared a little subdued to begin with but around the hour mark, the match exploded back into action as Gross and Walker scuffed shots wide before Sutton pushed away Philpott’s driven free kick at his post before gathering up Mitchell Knight’s goal attempt from the rebound.
The Millers were being pushed onto the back foot but on the break, Dean Hill made a fantastic tackle on Walker as broke into the penalty area to keep the Hoops in the match with still 15 minutes to play.
Despite putting the Millers under constant pressure, the Hoops couldn’t find a way to penetrate a resolute home defence and the Millers were able to seal the tie with just 3 minutes remaining.
Rory Hill’s burst towards the visitors penalty area was ended on the edge of the ‘D’ by Connor Ashman and from the resulting free kick, the ball was played over towards the far post where McDonagh ghosted in from a wide position to volley the ball high into the visitors goal.
The Hoops did find a goal in the final minute of normal time as he was allowed a free header as the Millers switched off, to grab little more than a consolation.
The Millers will now await the draw for the next round which will be published on Monday afternoon.
The Millers next match is a return fixture with Ashford United on Saturday 24th, when we will be looking to turn Badgers Pink as we raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Come On You Millers!

Sat 24-Oct 2015 SCEFL
Cray Valley 0 v Ashford United 5
Goals: AU- Booth 13, Green 28, Welford 43,47 Fagg 85
Attendance: 85

Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/photos/a.312108795589977/1595329660601211
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1595330750601102&type=3

Weds 28-Oct 2015 SCEFL
Holmesdale 1 v Cray Valley 3
Goals: H- Rikki Cable 13
CV- Paul Gross 29, Rory Hill 78, 80
Attendance: 64
Rikki Cable put the Dalers in front after thirteen minutes at Oakley Road before Paul Gross levelled things up with an hour played. But two goals in 2 minutes, 10 minutes from the end, from Rory Hill ensured the Millers took the three points back to Badgers for the first time after 7 consecutive away defeats.
Cray Valley: Stevie Sutton, Tommy Osborne, Taylor McDonagh, Joe Matthews, Brad Potter, Lee Craig (Greg Benbow 67), Rory Hill, Jimmy Rogers, Paul Gross, Byron Walker (Alex Chambers 73), Warren Whiteley (Ben Healy 84).
Subs: Ryan Sawyer, Jamie Miller

Stephen McCartney reports from Oakley Road
CRAY VALLEY player-manager Paul Gross says he has the support of the club’s committee despite struggling in the bottom six after 13 league games.
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/holmcray281015

Sat 31-Oct 2015 FA VASE FRST ROUND PROPER
Knaphill 5 v Cray Valley 4 after extra time
Goals: K- Doble 45, Postance 66, Morris 73, Taylor 90+3, Taylor ET 26
CV- Paul Gross 5, 47, Byron Walker 30, Greg Benbow 71
See separate section CHALLENGE CUP & FA VASE 2015/16 for full match report and pictures

Sat 7-Nov 2015 SCEFL
Lordswood 1 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: L- Brown 86
CV- Walker 73
Attendance: 58
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1599369043530606

Weds 11-Nov 2015 See separate section CHALLENGE CUP 2015/16
Second Round: Erith Town Home Won 2-0

Sat 14-Nov 2015 SCEFL
Cray Valley 5 v Holmesdale 3
Goals: CV- Walker 7, Harvey 37, Hill 49, Potter 57, Osborne 90
H- Froggatt 24, Conteh 40, Michael 65
Attendance 71
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1601709299963247
Video: Byron Walker opens the scoring for the Millers at Badgers against Holmesdale
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/videos/1602382603229250

Tues 24-Nov 2015 LONDON SENIOR CUP FIRST ROUND
Hendon 4 v Cray Valley 1
Goal: CV- Jordan Sandiford 80
The Millers fell at the first hurdle in a match played as a test for Hendon's new ground at Silver Jubilee Park. After a difficult journey to West London for many the home side stormed into an early lead and set the tone to follow. Jordan Sandiford's goal for the Millers fiive minutes after coming on as a 75th minute substitution was a mere consolation.

Sat 28-Nov 2015 KENT SENIOR TROPHY SECOND ROUND
Canterbury City 1 v Cray Valley 1 (Canterbury City win on penalties)
Goals: CC- Lawrence 28
CV- Brad Potter 90+6
Attendance: 45
The Millers fell behind to a Rob Lawrence goal after 28 minutes at Ashford United's Homelands Stadium and it wasn't until the 96th minute that Brad Potter grabbed a last gasp equaliser, his shot from about 30 yards through a sea of players to nestled in the corner of the net. With no extra time in the competition the match went straight to penalties with Canterbury City going through to the next round.
Video: Brad Potter scores a dramatic last gasp equaliser
https://www.facebook.com/275921759208681/videos/1606979862769524

Weds 9-Dec 2015 SCEFL
Beckenham Town 1 v Cray Valley 2
Goals: BT- Turner 69
CV- Sandiford 74, Elliott 90+2
Attendance: 105
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/1610557772411733
Video: Marcus Elliott scores the last minute winner at Beckenham Town
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/videos/1612317372235773

Sat 12-Dec 2015 SECFL
Cray Valley 4 v Crowborough Athletic 5
Goals: CV- Joe Bingham 11, Byron Walker 15, 45+1, Luke Harvey 36 (sent off 2nd yellow 75)
CA- Conion 39, 66, 84, Biddlecombe 42, 89
Attendance: 42
Match Report courtesy of CA:
https://www.crowboroughathletic.com/teams/11461/match-centre/1-1615075/report
Video: Joe Bingham scores his first goal for the Millers in the 4-5 defeat to Crowborough Athletic at Badgers
https://www.facebook.com/275921759208681/videos/1620711254729718

Sat 19-Dec 2015 SECFL
Canterbury City 0 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: CC- (Gorham sent off 5)
CV- Luke Harvey 28
Attendance: 40
City were reduced to 10 men after just 5 minutes as Ben Gotham was shown a red card for bringing down Byron Walker as he looked to bear down on goal. And the Millers took advantage of the extra man as Luke Harvey headed home from close range after just 18 minutes. Both sides could have added to the scoreline but neither could with keepers Shannon Harris and Rob French in fine form.

Adverse weather caused a number of postponements during late December and most of January.

Sat 16-Jan 2016 SCEFL
Croydon 0 v Cray Valley 0
Attendance: 54

Photos:

Sat 30-Jan 2016 SCEFL
AFC Croydon Athletic 3 v Cray Valley 4
Goals: AFC- Djimah 68, Sterling-Parker 71, Jansen (pen) 86, (Martin sent off 54)
CV- Rory Hill 19, Byron Walker 21, Marcus Elliott 38, Harwood own goal 79
Attendance: 61

Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/photos/a.312108795589977/1633828230084687
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1633830203417823&type=3

Weds 3-Feb 2016 See separate section CHALLENGE CUP 2015/16
Quarter Final: Deal Town Home Won 1-0

Sat 6-Feb 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 1 v Greenwich Borough 1
Goals: CV- Tommy Osborne 65
GB- Mohamed Eisa 52
Attendance: 51

Match Action

Celebrating Tommy Osborne's equalising goal
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1636983819769128&type=3

Sat 13-Feb 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 2 v Croydon 0
Goals: CV- Hill 1, 37
Attendance: 33

Sat 20-Feb 2016 SCEFL
Rochester United 1 v Cray Valley 2
Goals: RU- Rothery 60
CV- Marcus Elliott 39, Corey Holder 90+5
Attendance: 40

Marcus Elliott put The Millers ahead at Rochester United before Steve Rothery levelled it up on the hour.5 minutes into added time, Corey Holder popped up with a late winner!
The Millers now sit in 8th, 25 points below current leaders Holland’s & Blair
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1643226615811515&type=3
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1642925359174974&id=275921759208681

Weds 24-Feb 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 2 v Hollands & Blair 1
Goals: CV: Hill 79, Elliott 89
HB: Prescott 9
Attendance 62
Match Report and Photos - H&B Website
https://www.hollandsandblair.co.uk/match/1022/2463?sort=sdate&order=asc&fsea=all&frt=all&offset=9#report

Sat 27-Feb 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 0 v Rochester United 0
Attendance: 35

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1646371822163661&type=3

Tues 1-Mar 2016 See separate section CHALLENGE CUP 2015/16
Semi Final 1st Leg: Erith & Belvedere Away Won 2-1

Sat 12-Mar 2016 SCEFL
Sevenoaks Town 3 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: ST- Adam Marsh 26, Kieron McCann 87
CV- Marcus Elliott 35
Attendance: 73

In picture Sevenoaks Town's Kieran McCann on the ball.

Just one point separated the tow teams in the table at the start of the match but the Oaks made it eight games without defeat and increased their advantage over the Millers to 4 points. After Adam Marsh put the home side in front after 26 minutes, Marcus Elliott levelled things up before the break before Marsh added his second, early in th second half. Kieron McCann (later to spend time at Cray Valley) finally made the game safe for the home side with 3 minutes remaining.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1652819134852263&type=3

Weds 16-Mar 2016 See separate section CHALLENGE CUP 2015/16
Semi Final 2nd Leg: Erith & Belvedere Home Lost 1-4 aet (E&B won 5-3 on aggregate)

Sat 19-Mar 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 2 v Erith Town 0
Goals: CV- Bradley Potter 68, Marcus Elliott 70
Attendance: 36
Two goals in two second half minutes from Brad Potter (68) and Marcus Elliott (70) moved the Millers into the top seven of the League table.

Marcus Elliott scores the Millers second.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1656885604445616&type=3
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1656885161112327&id=275921759208681

Weds 23-Mar 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 3 v Corinthian 1
Goals: CV- Byron Walker 27, 36, Taylor McDonagh 45+4
C- Holland 70
Attendance: 52
Cray Valley: Rob French, Taylor McDonagh, Adam Gross, Charles Ofusu-Hene, Brad Potter, Corey Holder, Rory Hill (Chandler Kasai 89), Jamie Miller, Marcus Elliott, Junior Kaffo, Byron Walker.
Subs: Jamie Lawrence, Ali Tumkaya, Paul Gross

Taylor McDonagh's first half injury time goal added the gloss to a Byron Walker brace to give the Millers a comfortable lead at Badgers over Corinthian. Jack Holland pulled a goal back for the Hoops with 20 minutes remaining but it proved just a consolation.

Stephen McCartney reports from Middle Park Avenue
CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) manager Paul Gross says he wants his side to get the best league position they can after beating Corinthian.
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/crayvcorin230316
Video: Byron Walker opens the scoring for the Millers on Wednesday evening!
https://www.facebook.com/275921759208681/videos/1660852357382274

Sat 26-Mar 2016 SCEFL
Erith & Belvedere 1 v Cray Valley 3
Goals: E&B- Liam Wright 27 (Zak Henry sent off 35, Enoch Akosah sent off 2nd yellow 35)
CV- Mohammed Kaffo 2, Byron Walker 90+2, Daryl Dylan og 90+5
Attendance: 53

Denzel Gayle playing for Erith & Belvedere before he became a Miller.

Junior Kaffo netted after just 2 minutes to put the Millers into an early lead but this was cancelled out by Liam Wright's equaliser after 27 minutes. Soon after the Deres Enoch Akosah picked up a second yellow card while E&B captain Zak Henry saw a straight red for his protestations in the melee that followed. But the nine men Deres put up a determined rearguard battle to keep out the Millers until added time at the end of the second half as Byron Walker and a Daryl Dylan goal secured the points for the visitors.
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/photos/a.312108795589977/1662408597226650/?type=3
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1662367473897429&type=3

Sat 2-April 2016 SCEFL
Ashford Utd 1 v Cray Valley 0
Goals: AU- Welford 36 (pen)
Attendance 178
Match Report: Courtesy of Ashford United
It is a game that won’t linger too long in the memory, but a solitary first half penalty scored by Shaun Welford, who found the net for the ninth successive match, proved enough to extend Ashford United’s winning streak to six league matches.
Cray Valley who were forced to turn out in an old United strip, can certainly count themselves unlucky not to have collected a point from the match, having enjoyed more on target efforts than the hosts.
George Kamurasi had to dive low to his left to prevent Bryon Walker from giving the Millers an early lead, before Rory Hill curled an effort just wide.
Brad Potter then flicked a header into the six-yard box, but thankfully Mr Reliable Pat Kingwell was on hand to clear up the danger.
Hill then fired wide before going even closer, but United managed to deflect the ball out for a corner.
It was therefore somewhat against the run of play that Ashford took the lead, when Dickens sent the ball into the penalty area, but Potter flung out an arm and referee Piotre Zachwieja had little hesitation in pointing to the spot in the 36th minute.
The resultant penalty was coolly despatched by Welford, for his 13th goal in his nine match scoring streak, sending Rob French the wrong way to reach 35 for the season.
A couple of minutes later after constant whinging from the Millers Management team – which sadly is nothing new – Mr Zachwieja dismissed one of their staff from the technical area.
For the hosts Chris Saunders than earned a yellow card when taking out Hill in full flow, who then stepped up to shoot narrowly wide from the resultant free-kick.
Jamie Lawrence then fluffed a golden chance for the Millers missing the target from inside the box, then in a counter-attack French clattered into Ben Davisson outside the box, but despite appeals for an infringement the referee waved play on.
The second-half continued in a similar pattern to the first as the Millers continued to be profligate with the goal at their mercy, spurning two good chances with Marcus Elliott and Walker this time guilty of fluffing their lines.
Ashford in search of a nerve settling second goal saw Tasar Hassan send in a decent cross, but Tom Osborne was hand to head away the danger under pressure from Welford.
With 15 minutes left both sides misssed good chances, firstly the visitors saw Jamie Miller shoot woefully wide in front of an open goal, only for substitute Josh Woolley to do likewise for Ashford moments later.
Goalkeeper French then made a complete howler of trying to catch a ball hooked in from close to the halfway line by Dickens, but after totally misjudging the flight, his blushes were saved when it bounced inches wide of the post.
Two opportunities fell to Welford in quick succession, but he headed wide with the first before volleying over under pressure a couple of minutes later.
Having held the visitors at bay, Ashford survived a scare in the 87th minute when Kamurasi rushed from his goal and clattered into Walker outside the box and was perhaps fortunate to escape with just a booking.
After lengthy treatment of nearly five minutes to Walker, Kamurasi was then beaten 20-yards out by a terrific curling free-kick from Hill which rebounded back off the post, to deny the visitors a late and probably deserved equaliser.
In the sixth minute of added time Welford found himself in space, but under pressure fired wide in the last opportunity of the game.
It is fair to say the win was hard fought and there have been better games at the Homelands this season, however at the final whistle very few in the attendance of 178 were complaining, but just relieved that the Nuts & Bolts held on.

History Insight: Cray Valley were forced to turn out in an old Ashford United strip meaning both teams shirts bore the same sponsor D&D Autos, see photo.

Cemil Tumkaya made his first team debut coming on as an 80th minute substitute.
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1667561420044701&id=275921759208681
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1667558723378304&type=3

Weds 6-Apr 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 0 v Tunbridge Wells 0
Attendance: 64
A dull clash at Badgers. The beggininig of a disappointing run in to the season as the Millers, sitting 7th at the start of April and following a 4-1 win at Erith & Belvedere at the end of March, they failed to win any of their final six games of the season to finish in 10th place.
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1670337803100396&id=275921759208681

Match Day Programme
Blogger match Report: That'll be the day
http://thatbetheday.blogspot.com/search/label/Cray%20Valley%20%28PM%29

Sat 9-Apr 2016 SCEFL
Deal Town 2 v Cray Valley 1
Goals: DT - Dean Hill 36, Luke Bigginton 47
CV - Byron Walker 2
Attendance: 76

Match action

Byron Walker is congratulated on his early goal.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1670951129705730&type=3

Weds 13-Apr 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 2 v Beckenham Town 2
Goals: CV- Brad Potter 21, Marcus Elliott 81
BT- Hussain Isa 9, 82
Attendance: 42
Hussain Isa gave Becks an early advantage as he put the visitors in front after 9 minutes. Brad Potter brought the Millers back on level terms after 21 minutes before Marcus Elliott looked to have won the match for the Millers, netting in the 81st minute. But just a minute later, Hussain grabbed his second of the match to set up a grandstand finish, but no decider.
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1673256929475150&id=275921759208681

Sat 16-Apr 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 1 v Fisher Athletic 2
Goals: CV- Marcus Elliott 35
FA- Haidarovic 67, Rothwell 79
Attendance: 42

Marcus Elliott put The Millers ahead (see photo) at Badgers against Fisher but second half goals from Luke Haidarovic and Max Rothwell settled the match in the visitors favour!
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1674494699351373&id=275921759208681
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1674439029356940&type=3

Tues 19-Apr 2016 SCEFL
Erith Town 0 v Cray Valley 0
CV- Gross Adam sent off 2nd yellow 72
Attendance: 56
Ground sharers Erith Town and The Millers fought out a goalless draw at Badgers in an entertaining end of season fixture. Adam Gross saw red late on but neither side could trouble the scorers!
Match Report:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1677207932413383&id=275921759208681

Thurs 21-Apr 2016 SCEFL
Cray Valley 2 v Deal Town 3
Goals: CV- Marcus Elliott 31, Charles Ofusu-Hene 37
DT- Joe Anderson 24, 59, Rene Rivera 64
Attendance: 51
Cray Valley: Brad Morgan, Tommy Osborne, Adam Gross, Charles Ofusu-Hene (Jordan Sandiford 88), Brad Potter, Corey Holder, Rory Hill, Junior Kaffo (Jamie Miller 68), Marcus Elliott, Byron Walker, Taylor McDonagh.
Subs: Nick Harvey, Paul Gross, John Wawrzewski
A disappointing end to the season, with no wins in the last seven fixtures, ended with another defeat. After Joe Anderson put the visitors in front after 24 minutes, goals from Marcus Elliott (31) and Charles Ofusu-Hen (37) put Paul Gross' side in front at the break. But hopes of finishing the season on a high were dashed as Anderson added his second on the hour before Rene Rivera sealed the Millers fate, four minutes later.
Stephen McCartney reports from Middle Park Avenue
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/craydeal210416

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