Dan Bennett netted twice as Valley produced a near perfect display on the “Sheep Island”.
After dominating the opening 20 minutes, it seemed a case of “not if, but when”, as Valley started on the front foot against last season’s SCEFL Champions.
But from a rare foray forward, it was the home side who struck the first blow.
Valley skipper Connor Dymond played a loose pass in midfield which saw the ball find its way to Ites top scorer Warren Mfula. Mfula’s pass down the left of the visitors defence reached the impressive Danny Leonard who held off the challenge of Sonny Black before slotting low past Millers’ keeper Chris Lewington.
Clearly stung into a response, Ade Adeyemo’s quick feet enabled him to find space in the Ite’s 18 yard box before shooting narrowly wide of the target.
The equaliser was not long in arriving however, as the ball fell to Bennett 20 yards out following a short passing movement from the visitors – Bennett firing beyond Aidan Prall into the corner of the net.
Buoyed by this, Valley continued to probe in and around the Sheppey goal without finding the killer touch until a lovely move was finished by Bennett as half time approached.
After the ever industrious Black won possession in midfield, interplay involving Adeyemo, Denzel Gayle and Bennett ended with a cheeky dink over Prall into the back of the net – the Valley striker’s 12th goal of the season.
The second half continued in much the same vein – efforts in quick succession from Kershaney Samuels, Adeyemo and Bennett coming close to adding to the lead – before Valley added a third in the 56th minute.
Gayle, revelling in the more central role he’s been given of late, raced through the heart of the Sheppey midfield before squaring the ball for Adeyemo to finish into the corner of the net beyond the outstretched arm of Prall.
With Samuels again going close to scoring his first Valley goal, The Ites threatened to pull one back at the other end.
Mfula, being forced wide into the channels to escape the clutches of Cem Tumkaya – the tall Turk putting in a faultless display against the 16 goal striker – played the ball in from the right to Frankie Morgan close in on goal. Barney Williams’ magnificent goal-line clearance personified all that is good about Tommy Osborne’s side at the moment to protect Lewington’s goal.
The ever dangerous Gayle continued to use the pace and acceleration we’re so used to seeing out wide, setting up Adam Coombes for an effort that he blazed over the bar, before himself forcing Prall to save low down following another powerful run.
With three points in the bag, performances like this will hopefully set a benchmark as Valley put further pressure on those at the top of the table.

MATCH RATING: - ***

MILLERS’ MAN OF THE MATCH – Denzel Gayle

THE ITES : Prall, Richardson, Majoyegbe, Hanfrey, Hamill (Beard 61), Leonard (Bobbor Mansaray 73) , Mfula, Bennett © (Frost 81), Midson, Del Morgan, Ossal
Substitutes Not Used : Lambert, Embery

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond ©, Chambers, Williams, Tumkaya, Gayle, Black, Samuels, Bennett (Coombes 73), Ibrahiym, Adeyemo
Substitutes Not Used : Asaam, Majek, Medhurst, Anau
Cautions : Bennett

Referee – Steven Goldup
Assistants – Nicolas Monkman and Sam Wigington

Main Pic : Two goal Danial Bennett in action
Match Photos : Suman Birta

Video: Captain's Log: Connor Dymond speaking post match to Richard J Green
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/captains-log-185023.html

Video: Tweet courtesy of RYG sports filming - Daniel Bennett's second goal
https://twitter.com/rygsportsfilm/status/1596633059956518912?s=48&t=TXOzy95DUJLcV-vATye3tQ

Video: Match Highlights courtesy of Sheppey United and RYG sports filming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7eUkvRYaaE