CLINICAL GAYLE SEALS IT FOR SCINTILLATING VALLEY
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 0 - 16th Aug 2022 - ATT 90
Goal CV: Gayle 51

By Richard J Green

Denzel Gayle latched onto a pinpoint through ball from the outstanding Anthony Edgar to race through on goal and secure the points for Valley on a night of entertaining football at the Artic Stadium.
After a first half of slick, scintillating football from the home side, it was perhaps ironic that the defining moment should come on a counter attack when Wasps were looking at their most dangerous shortly after the interval.

The action stated almost from the off as the opening ten minutes saw plenty of possession and attacking intent from the hosts – Edgar firing narrowly wide of the target, before Adam Coombes had a shot parried by East Grinstead ‘keeper Matte Pierson for a corner.
Tahjae Anderson and centre back Harrison Parker threatened for the Wasps – Anderson’s low drive being easily taken by Chris Lewington before Parker headed narrowly over from a free kick on the left – before Pierson’s goal was peppered by a succession of near misses from Edgar.
After finding his range with two efforts narrowly curling over the bar in quick succession, the Valley midfielder shock Pierson’s crossbar with a thunderous 25 yard drive in the 27th minute.
Pierson pushed another effort from Edgar low by his left hand post for a corner before Bennett had an effort cannon back off the bar from Kershaney Samuels’ resultant flag kick, as the goal at the Middle Park Road end of the ground continued to enjoy a charmed existence.
Further attempts rained in from Gayle and Edgar prior to the break but somehow the first half ended goalless.
Anderson made a lively start to the second half for the visitors – having a shot saved low down - as East Grinstead threatened to break the deadlock.

And it was from a Wasps attack that Valley eventually took the lead in the 51st minute.
A corner from the right saw a scramble in the six yard box before – amid Wasps appeals for handball – Edgar took possession and led a rapier like breakaway. His pinpoint pass found the rapid Gayle whose foray on Pierson’s goal saw him check back before firing wide of the ‘keeper into the side of the net.
Andrew Briggs went close for East Grinstead – firing narrowly over from a 25 yard free kick after he was brought down by Cem Tumkaya -, before the dangerous Anderson was dispossessed in the six yard box by Connor Dymond as the game opened up and became more direct as the visitors sought to salvage a point.
Coombes had a far post header drop narrowly wide before the closing stages were marred by a nasty looking knee injury picked up by Edgar following a heavy midfield challenge.
Three points then for the Millers, but more importantly a promise of football utopia as the nights draw in.

MATCH RATING: - ****

MAN OF THE MATCH – Anthony Edgar

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond ©, Williams, Tumkaya, Gayle, Coombes (Asaam 84), Edgar (Chambers 88), Samuels, Douglas, Bennett, Black
Substitutes Not Used : Oshilaja, Ibrahiym

WASPS : PIERSON, Walsh, Straker, Unwin, Parker, Wilson, Daniel, Briggs (Abie 82), Anderson, Uchechi (Cornwell 70), Price-Placid (Walsh 67)
Substitutes Not used: Clarke, Newman
Caution : Anderson

Referee : Abdul Olol
Assistants : Samuel Hall and Dan Tornbom

Pic – Denzel Gayle rounds the Wasps rearguard before slotting home the winner
Match Photos by Suman Birta

Excellent additional match report and phots courtesy of Dmitri Old
https://lordcanislupus778.wordpress.com/2022/08/16/does-anybody-know-how-long-to-world-war-iii/