MILLERS FAIL TO PENETRATE BRICKIES WALL

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
SITTINGBOURNE 0 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 0 - 4 MAR 2023 - ATT 182

Harley Earle saves Ade Adeyemo's shot

Handball? Penalty? Nothing Given!

Both sides had to settle for a point as the game finished goalless although it is the Millers who will feel it was more a case of two lost points. Without a man of the match performance from the Brickies keeper Harley Earle, the three points would surely have been heading back down the M2. Once again, not for the first time this season, there was praise for the Millers performance and style of play, "..comfortably the best side we've seen at the Jarmans for quite a while so it's a good point for the Brickies" was quoted on the Sittingbourne twitter feed. However praise does not win football matches and Millers manager Tommy Osborne and his side will rue those missed chances.

Recent signing from Cray Wanderers experienced defender Alex Bentley made his debut for the Millers and slotted in well. It was the Millers who spent the majority of the game on the front foot but were unable to make the elusive breakthrough. There were shouts for a Millers penalty early on as Hassan Ibrahiym fell under the challenge of Joe Ellul but the man that mattered wasn't interested. Ade Adeyemo saw several first half efforts saved by the keeper, the best of them in the 37th minute when Bentley sent Denzel Gayle into the box, who squared the ball to Adeyemo whose powerful shot from 12 yards was tipped over by Earle.

Second half and Adam Coombes was in the thick of the action as the Millers continued to push forward, winning a free kick 30 yards out which Hassan Ibrahiym took and Earle pushed his shot over the bar. In the 55th minute Denzel retrieved a cleared corner, got to the by-line and saw his cross deflect off Adeyemo into the path of Cem Tumkaya who shot over from 10 yards. Shortly after Coombes went close but Earle got in the way to stop his shot from going in. Shouts for another penalty to the Millers, this time for handball, but nothing given.

With the home side resorting more and more to kicking long and hanging on for a point, Barney Williams then went close his shot coming back of the inside of the post. In the 77th Minute after a spell of home pressure the Millers responded and Tumkaya's header from a corner was deflected wide. Williams high cross was then claimed by Earle ahead of the challenge from Coombes. In added time, Williams long range drive was blocked by Earle and Ellul cleared the rebound as Coombes looked to pounce. One final chance, Ibrahiym drove into the box but his shot was again blocked by Earle at the near post as the final whistle blew. FT 0-0.

Man of the Match: Harley Earle (Sittingbourne)

MILLERS: Lewington, Bentley, Chambers, Williams, Tumkaya, Gayle ©, Black, Coombes, Nelson, Ibrahiym , Adeyemo
Substitutes Not Used: Majekodunmi, Medhurst, Edionhon Silvera, Bennett D, Anau
Cautions: None

BRICKIES: Earle, Jones, Davidson, Ellul, Tyrie, Pont (Graham 43), Mbonkwi, Singh (Follea 71), Burgin, Eyoma, May (Kileba 75)
Substitute Not Used: Warren
Cautions: Pont, Ellul, Singh

Referee: Tolu Sangowawa
Assistants – Krystian Kaczala and Ryan Chantrill-Smith

Photos: Suman Birta
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/sittingbourne-v-millers-4323-photos-suman-birta-1052691.html
Main Pic: Sittingborne keeper Harley Earle prepares to save from Denzel Gayle

New signing Alex Bentley makes his debut

Additional Report Courtesy of Mike Green (Sittingbourne) reporting for the Non League Paper
EARLE KEEPS VALLEY AT BAY
Sittingbourne produced a superb performance to gain a much needed point against play off chasing Cray Valley yesterday. Valley who won this fixture 6-0 last season, would have repeated the scoreline but on this occasion met a goalkeeper playing out of his boots in Harley Earle. Three times in each Half the young goalkeeper pulled off magnificent saves, denying the unfortunate Adam Coombes on three occasions alone as Valley were frustratingly held. And when Earle was beaten by Barney Williams late shot, the post and skipper Joe Ellul's brave headed clearance denied the visitors. The result left Sittingbourne in 16th place, with Cray Valley still retaining hopes of pushing for honours in seventh spot.
Star Man: Harley Earle (Sittingbourne)
Entertainment ***