LATE LATE WINNER FOR MILLERS
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 BECKENHAM TOWN 1 - 5 DEC 2023 - ATT 162
Goals: CV - Coombes 22, Barrington 92
BT - Humpries 66
Marcel Barrinton came off the bench to snatch a late late winner in added time, scoring from close range to secure the three points for the Millers. It was not the best performance from Valley and the Becks will be pleased with their battling display, if not the result. As so often happens when a team is struggling result wise a late winner broke their hearts.
Valley were very much in the ascendancy at the start with a Cem Tumkaya header from a corner forcing Becks keeper Mason Whitnell to make a fine save, tipping the ball over the cross bar. Valley went close again with a succession of blocked shots, including two goal line clearances. However the Becks also went close themselves when Funsho Sinai broke clear and saw his shot go just wide of the post.
Valley opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, Kyrell Lisbie whipped in a fine cross and Adam Coombes tapped in from 5 yards. just after the half hour Lisbie enjoyed an excellent run, going past a couple of defenders on the left but couldn't quite get his shot away. Half time and the slender lead remained.
Barrington replaced Coombes on the hour and immediately used his strength well to hold off the defender but his shot was just wide of the target. The Becks continued to battle and the equaliser came in the 66th minute, a poor clearance from Valley was seized upon by Harry Gamble and his pass found Jamie Humphris who tucked it away.
Millers although lacking fluency continued to create chances as they looked to restore the lead, Tumkaya made good contact from six yards with his foot as he volleyed from a corner but the ball was well over the top, see photo below.
With ten minutes or so remaining Tom Chambers went agonisingly close as his well struck low cross somehow evaded the two Valley strikers looking to get a touch and flew inches past the wrong side of the far post. The Becks were battling for everything, showing plenty of spirit and with just five minutes added time remaining locked to have secured a vital point. However Valley had the final say with their late late winner.
Millers: Freeman, Williams, Tumkaya, Lee (c), Chambers, Ademiluyi (Gayle 70), Black, Waldren, Vigor (Ekpiteta 76), Lisbie, Coombes (Barrington 59) Subs not used: Asiedu, Wicks
Cautions: None
Becks: Whitnell, Sinai, Nyhus, Allen, Wanogho, Anderson, Talade, Gamble, Humphris (Griffin 68). Ryan (Aina 93), Townsend, Subs not used: Okubote, Mensah, Nicholas.
Cautions: None
Referee - Fabio Roque
Assistants - Neil Jenkins and Dwayne Uylett
Post Match Interview with Millers Assistant Manager Barry Moore
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--delighted-with-3-points-against-beckenham-town-fc-51223-196701.html