A FLYING INJURY TIME SAVE BY OAKS KEEPER Patrick Lee denied Anthony Edgar’s rasping 20 yard effort from giving The Millers a winning start to 2020.
Lee’s effort followed an equally athletic save by Millers’ Andy Walker from Kyle De Silva’s fiercely struck 90th minute free kick, as the game exploded into life during the last quarter.
The hosts started the brighter and more energetic side before the 19th minute substitution of Denzel Gayle for the injured Josh James gave Cray Valley more attacking threat.
As a Millers outfit cruelly weakened by injuries and non-availabilty started to get a foothold on proceedings, Oaks took the lead on the stroke of half time – Bradley Schafer’s excellent 43rd minute shot flying past Walker’s left hand from inside the 18 yard box.
A Sevenoaks side with only one win in their last 10 league and cup matches seemed to adopt a more defensive mindset as the second half wore on, with Kweku Ansah making his most influential contribution in the Millers’ midfield.
It was therefore no surprise when Francis Babalola’s 78th minute pass inside the box to Gayle saw the wingman turn and fire into the back of net.
This led to the breathless finale in which, despite having the greater chances, The Millers were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
Report by Richard J Green