The Millers can be pleased with their efforts this afternoon and despite the loss will have taken plenty of positives from the performance as confirmed by manager Steve McKimm in his post match interview, see link below.

Hamlet keeper Jack Ruddy was called into action early on saving with his feet a low shot from Valley's trialist. However it was the visitors who took the lead in the 8th minute, Ryley Scott on hand to tap home from close range after the Millers keeper Sam Freeman could only parry out the initial shot. A minute later the Millers were level, a good move down the left and the low cross across goal found Michael Ademiluyi free just inside the penalty area and he finished well, firing low back across the keeper into the far corner. With 14 minutes on the clock Hamlet re-took the lead, a Hamlet free kick was headed back across goal by Michael Chambers at the back post and the defender could do little as the ball deflected off him into the net with Chambers claiming the goal. As half time approached Lyle Della-Verde curled a ball goal wards only for the visitors keeper Jack Ruddy to get his fingertips to it and push it around the post.

Second half and with the rain starting to ease the Millers were very much in the ascendancy with the Millers goal rarely threatened. The second equaliser came just before the hour and it was a wonderful worked goal, the first time finish capping a great piece of flowing football. Perhaps best described by quoting the visitors own twitter entry. "59: Cray equalise again. Denzel Gayle, who has impressed since coming on at half time, proves to be too much trouble on the right-hand side and his fizzed cross is met by Freddie Parker for a close range finish".

Freddie Parker number 9 after scoring the Millers second equaliser.

The Millers went in search of the winner, Della-Verde who was very much in the action went close and saw his effort cleared off the line. Hamlet keeper Ruddy then made great saves from both Hassan Ibrahiym and Matt Vigor. Against the run of play in the 90th minute, Hamlet's Kreshnick Krasniqi latched onto a defensive slip and slotted the ball past replacement keeper Aidan Wicks.

There was still time for yet more heroics from man of the match Hamlet keeper Ruddy to deny the Millers. Three saves of note in very quick succession, firstly tips a shot from Della-Verde around the post, the resulting corner meets a Millers head which requires a sharp reaction save and the rebound then hits him squarely in the face.

Full Time and if finishes 2-3. Attention now turns to the start of the league programme and for the Millers it's a trip to play Sittingbourne next Saturday. Look out for an interesting look at for our opening games in previous seasons feature and match day preview to follow later in the week.

Main picture above courtesy of the writers iPhone: Hamlet's keeper Jack Ruddy saving from the Millers Matthew Vigor.

Post match interview with Millers Manager Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-after-todays-32-loss-to-dulwich-and-hamlet--191789.html

Matchday photos courtesy of Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/preseason-friendly-millers-v-dulwich-hamlet-5823-photos-romana--inspire-socials-1068711.html

Additional Match Report and photos courtesy of Dulwich Hamlet website:
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/teams/56196/match-centre/0-5641844/report

Brixton Buzz: In photos: Dulwich Hamlet scrape a win against Cray Valley Paper Mills in pre-season friendly
https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2023/08/in-photos-dulwich-hamlet-scrape-a-win-against-cray-valley-paper-mills-in-pre-season-friendly-sat-5th-aug-2023/

#COYM