The Millers overcame what could have been a potential banana skin as they put aside their recent cup exploits and set about making up their games behind in the league. They remain unbeaten but this was only their seventh game, winning five and tonight's win moves them up to 8th place on 17 points. Plenty of games in hand over the teams above them although just three on Ramsgate who sit top on 27 points with just one defeat in their opening ten games. The two sides meet here at the Artic Stadium on Saturday.

Despite being on top in the opening exchanges the Millers fell behind in what was Merstham first real attack of the game as Korrey Henry put the visitors ahead on 15 minutes. The Millers drew level six minutes later, Tom Chambers scoring from a corner. The hosts continued in the ascendancy as they created chances although without success. The Moatsiders fashioned a good chance themselves around the 37th minute but Billy Oram shot straight at keeper Max Ovenden.

Denzel Gatle was causing the visitors problems down the right flank, combing well with 18 year old Malachy Turner making his league debut impressing with some excellent through passes. It was from such a move that a blocked shot fell to Matt Vigor just inside the box and he put the Millers in front for the first time on the stroke of half time.

Second half and Freddie Parker picked up a slight injury and was replaced by Marcel Barrington who re-signed for the Milers yesterday. The hosts were in the ascendancy and the third goal came on 57 minutes, Matt Vigor with his second as a free kick out wide on the left was fired in, evading everyone and nestling in the far corner of the net. Michael Ademiluyi replaced the hard working Gayle on 71 minutes and was involved in number of attacks. However it was his defensive abilities that came to the fore with a couple of minutes remaining tracking back to clear the danger as the Moatsiders broke.

In added time perhaps inevitably Barrington got on the scoresheet, getting the final touch close in from Ademiluyi's effort for the Millers fourth. A deserved three points and manager Steve McKimm will be pleased with his side's application and resilience overcoming a number of absences though injury and sickness. Bring on the Rams Saturday for what promises to be a cracker.

Millers: Ovenden, Turner, Tumkaya, Chambers, Asiedu, Gayle (c) (Ademiluyi 71), Black, Anau, Vigor, Lisbie (Ekpiteta 81), Parker (Barrington 48), Subs not used: Gilchrist, Wicks
Cautions: None

Moatsiders: Basey, Khinda, Wedgeworth, Abnett, Taank, Gunner, Senior (Millo 67), Bajja (Kendall 61), Henry, Oram (Greenwood 49), Lewis. Subs not used: Pearch, Corbin
Cautions: Glenwood, Abnett

Referee - Mark Pond
Assistants - Brendan Walsh and Daniel Trout

Full review and match report courtesy of Ian Townsend Pitching In Isthmian website:
https://www.isthmian.co.uk/millers-manoeuvre-past-moatsiders-79161

Post Match Interview with Millers Assistant Manager Barry Moore
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview-barry-moore-praises-u18-malachy-turners-senior-league-debut-in-41-victory-over-merstham-211123-196199.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-merstham-211123-photos-inspire-socials-1084457.html