MILLERS NO FOOLS AS THREE POINTS SECURED

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV

CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 BURGESS HILL TOWN 1 - 1 APR 2023 - ATT 234
Goals CV - Spinks 5 (og), Adeyemo 45, Bennett 77
BHT - Perry 70

Dan Bennett heading Cray Valley's third goal

Match Report by Steve Chapman

The Millers maintained their Play Off push with an unconvincing display against a spirted Burgess Hill side, who remain in a precarious position just outside of the relegation zone. Despite Cray going into the interval with a two goal advantage it was the visitors that looked the better team in the first half.

Cray went ahead after 5 minutes when Dan Bennett’s low cross was diverted into his own net by Josh Spinks but struggled to extend their lead until just before the break when Ade Adeyemo cut in from the left to shoot low past Will Huffer in the Hillians goal.

Earlier the Hillians had gone close on a number of occasions, on the half hour Spinks headed a corner down for Perry who smashed it from six yards out only to see his effort blocked on the line. Eight minutes later Bridgeman rattled the inside of the post and away. Cray always looking dangerous on the break and went close when a break down the right flank ended with a shot headed off the line and over the bar by Ward. At the other end Finney saw his free kick go inches past the wrong side of the post prior to the whistle going for half time.

Second half was more even. An excellent move from Cray saw Coombes meet Chambers low cross with power but his first time shot from close in cannoned up against the underside of the bar and out. Dan Perry pulled a goal back with a fine header from Ward's cross back into the box, after Lewington's save with an outstretched leg had initially been cleared. Minutes later Bennett restored the home sides two goal advantage when he converted a sublime cross from Adeyemo.

Chances continued at both ends, Bennett found the back of the net but was ruled offside and a Tumkaya header for Cray produced another good save from Huffer, one handed at the far post diving low to his left. Hillians then saw a Perry strike across goal cleared off the line, hit the back of Lewington and fall for Martin whose shot was deflected over. On 88 minutes Lewington was on hand to make a great save from Griffiths followed seconds later with an even better save from Perry. In the last minute Anau who had come on as a substitute for Cray had an excellent run into the box but his powerful shot went over the top.

Full time and on April Fools Day, the Millers were no fools securing all three points in a hard fought 3-1 win, although the Hillians will feel a tad hard done by today.

MATCH RATING ****

MAN OF THE MATCH – CHRIS LEWINGTON (CRAY VALLEY)

MILLERS: Lewington, Bentley (Samuels 64), Chambers (Majekodunmi), Nelson, Oshilaja, Tumkaya, Gayle (c), Black, Coombes, Bennett (Anna 77), Adeyemo
Substitutions Not Used: Medhurst, Ibrahiym
Cautions: None

HILLIANS: Huffer, Ward, Box, Rowe, Spinks , Daly, Miller (Ali 46), Griffiths, Perry, Finney (Martin 60), Bridgeman (Skerry 73)
Substitutions Not Used: Tighe, Brown
Cautions: Finney, Ali, Skerry, Rowe

Referee – Craig Barnett
Assistants – James Goodman and Craig Wood

Photos: Suman Birta
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-burgess-hill-town-1423-photos-suman-birta-1056378.html

Video: Post Match Comments from Manager Tommy Osborne
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/tommys-viewpoint-189024.html

Additional match report and post match comments from manager Tommy Osborne courtesy Stephen McCartney of Kentish Football
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/crayburg010423