Despite the recent arctic weather the pitch and playing conditions were perfect at the Artic stadium! The Millers managed to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches but looked a bit rusty after an enforced two break week due to postponements. Although they had the majority of possession in an even first half, it was the Cannons who were unfortunate not to go into the break ahead. They created the better opportunities but found Chris Lewington in great form in the Millers goal and he produced a series of fine saves.

It was a different story after the interval as the home side upped their game and started to stretch the resilient Hythe defence. Cray had to wait until the 67th minute before they eventually broke the deadline. Only a minute after seeing his shot cleared off the line, Dan Bennett made no mistake when he fired his close range shot past Hythe keeper Steve Philips. The game was effectively over 10 minutes later. As the visitors pressed for an equaliser they left gaps in defence and on the counter attack, Denzel Gayle sprinted from the half way line to calmly slot the ball past the advancing Phillips into an empty net. A hard fought victory by the Millers as they maintain the pressure on the teams above them and demonstrated that they are still very much in the title race.

MATCH RATING ****

MAN OF THE MATCH – CHRIS LEWINGTON (CRAY VALLEY (PM)) pictured in action below

CANNONS: Phillips S, Smith, Goldsmith (Itauma 90), Steventon, Foregone, Allan, Smith (Jeffrey 60), Hamilton, Caney-Bryan, Collin, Ngandu (Trespaderne 59) Subs not used: Phillips M, Bancroft
Cautions : Goldsmith, Trespadene

MILLERS : Lewington, Chambers, Williams, Tumkaya, Gayle ©, Black, Coombes, Samuels (Dymond 70), Nelson, Bennett (Ibrahiym 75), Adeyemo (Anau 82)
Substitutes Not Used : Medhurst, Majek
Cautions : Nelson

Referee: Billy Woods
Assistants: Joseph Gray and Gary Baker

Main Pic: Barney Williams in action as the Cray Valley faithful look on.
Match Photos: Suman Birta
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-hythe-town-21123-photos-suman-birta-1047098.html

Denzel Gayle salutes his goal