EMIRATES FA CUP - FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING
BADSHOT LEA 1 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 - 31 AUG 2024 - ATT 79
Goals: BL - Luzinda 92
CV - Coombes 10, Waldren 65, Ibrahiym 90

The Millers overcame a spirited Baggies side to earn a place in Monday's second qualifying round draw in the Emirates FA Cup with goals from Coombes, Waldren and Ibrahiym.

Report by Nigel Beesley (Badshot Lea for the NLP)
The Baggies took on last season's giant killers Cray Valley and gave a very good account of themselves against their step 3 opponents. The only previous meeting between the sides was an FA Vase tie back in 2018, which the visitors won comfortably.
The Millers struck first after just ten minutes when Adam Coombes edged them in front following a free kick on the edge of the box that was cruelly deflected past Harry Cawdron.
The home side pressed for an equaliser and came close, with Max Ovenden preventing parity before hobbling off injured just before the half hour to be replaced by Oliver Pain, making his debut for the visitors. Both sides created chances before the interval but the visitors went in with a narrow lead.
The Baggies went close to equalising early in the second half before the Millers doubled their advantage on 65 minutes. Danny Waldron reacted first to tap home a rebound from yet another set piece. Video: Danny Waldren scoring https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/millers-second-goal-v-badshot-lea-31824-203393.html
The home side threw everything at their opponents and inevitably conceded again when Hassan Ibrahiym broke free and scored. Derek Lucinda slotted home a consolation at the death.

Millers line up: Ovenden (Pain 28), Williams, Chambers, Oshilaja, Lee (c) (Anau 72), Ademiluyi, Black, Waldren, Della Verde (Ibrahiym 57) Barrington (Coker 63), Coombes (Parker 57)

Baggies line up: Cawdron, Payne, Winkworth, Scott (Kyezu 65), Throp, Andon (Luzinda 77), Ceesay, Traore (Garlinge 77), Harry, Allsopp, Dehghani (c) (Kamara 65)

Referee: Jonathon Wilks
Assistants: Nathaniel Roff

Main Photo courtesy of Romana at Inspire Socials - Danny Waldren scoring the Millers second goal

Post Match Interview: Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-reflects-on-the-millers-31-fa-cup-victory-away-to-badshot-lea-3182024-203377.html

Personal Footnote:
Excellent hospitality and a friendly welcome from Chairman Mark Broad and all at Badshot Lea. Congratulations to programme editor Nick Hester on production of an excellent paper edition including a bespoke article on Cray Valley (PM) players past and present who have trod the boards of professional football..