PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
SITTINGBOURNE 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 - 12 AUG 2023 - ATT 268
Goals: S - Osude 65, El-Moghaebel 88
CV - Della-Verde 26 (pen), Vigor 46, Coombes 90

Football is back and what an exhilarating roller coaster experience transpired for the watching Millers fans. Seemingly crusing to victory leading two goals to nil with over an hour gone, first the Brickies pull a goal back. The Millers then proceed to miss a number of chances to make the game safe as the opposition keeper makes a succession of fines saves, earning himself the hosts player of the match. Concede an equaliser in the 88th minute then snatch a fully deserved winner in the 90th+ minute which despite the Brickies still having time to go close to equalising for a second time earns the Millers three points on opening day for the first time since 2017. Phew! Only 37 league games to go!

Manager Steve McKimm gave debuts to seven of his new signings. Arthur Lee, given the captains armband, Sam Freeman, Teddy Perkins, Freddie Parker, Micheal Ademiluyi, Matt Vigor and Lyle Della-Verde all started. Barney Williams, Tom Chambers, Denzel Gayle and Sonny Black joined them. Adam Coombes, Julien Anau, Kyrell Lisbie, Hassan Ibrahiym and Clement Asiedu took a place on the bench.

The Millers wearing their new sky blue away kit for the first time, started well. On five minutes Matthew Vigor found Tom Chambers on the left and his low cross was just cleared in front of Michael Ademiluyi. Shortly after Lyle Della-Verde curled a shot from 20 yards just wide of the post. On twenty minutes Barney Williams fired in a shot which the home keeper Bobby Mason did well to block away for a corner. The breakthrough finally came on twenty-six minutes Della-Verde was fouled in the penalty area and he stepped up to despatch the resulting penalty into the bottom corner to give the Millers the lead.

Lyle Della-Verde scoring from the spot

The Millers doubled their advantage just after the re-start Vigor collected Williams half cleared cross and his shot from the edge of the box, bobbled over Mason in goal and into the net. Kyrell Lisbie replaced Denzel Gayle who was carrying a slight knock and went close to opening his account, a stunning save at close range by Mason as Lisbie connected with Sonny Black's cross.

The Brickies hadn't really troubled the Millers goal but on 65 minutes substitute Josh Osude who had started to cause all sorts of problems got beyond the Millers defence and rounded keeper Sam Freeman to slot home and pull a goal back.

This gave the Brickies confidence and as they pushed for an equaliser for the first time the Millers were under pressure. The game could have been made safe though as chances continued to fall. Lisbie did well wide on the right flank getting to the bi line and his low cross found Vigor in the centre but his shot at Mason was well saved. From a free lick awarded outside the area, Adam Coombes who had replaced Freddie Parker, fired in a shot just over the top.

With the clock ticking down an equaliser came on 88 minutes, a breakaway saw Ayman El-Moghaebell breach an outnumbered defence and his shot after taking a deflection brought the scores level.

However there was another twist in the tale, in added time a terrific cross from out wide by Arthur Lee found Adam Coombes in the area and his powering diving header made it 3-2. Still time for the Brickies to cause a scare as a late late chance went begging but it was the Millers who took a deserved three points in the opening game.

Adam Coombes after scoring the winner in added time

Millers: Freeman, Williams, Perkins, Lee (c), Chambers, Gayle (Lisbie 57), Black, Vigor, Ademiluyi, Della-Verde (Ibrahiym 70), Parker (Coombes 77) Subs not used: Anau, Asiedu
Cautions: Vigor, Della-Verde

Brickies: Mason, Fischer, Davidson, Woodward, Tyrie (El-Moghaebel 53), Graham, Kithambo (Osude 43), Piorkowski, Bloomfield, Goodman (Nolan-Samuel 46), Singh Subs not used: Tavares, Theobalds
Cautions: Unknown

Referee: Gerry Heron
Assistants: Tony King and Adedotun Adeyemi

Photo: Inspire Socials - Denzel Gayle and Matt Vigor after Matt put the Millers 2-0 ahead.

Post Match Interviews:
Manager Steve McKimm. https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-speaking-after-the-opening-day-32-win-vs-sittingbourne-fc-191982.html

Captain Arthur Lee. https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--arthur-lee-speaking-after-the-32-opening-day-win-vs-sittingbourne-fc-191977.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/sittingbourne-v-millers-1282023-photos-romana-at-inspire-socials-1069449.html

Video: Match Highlights courtesy Sittingbourne FC
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-14039151