A LATE, LATE STRIKE FROM RETURNING STRIKER ADE ADEYEMO earned The Millers three valuable points in this tight encounter on the Sussex coast.
Early season promotion favourites Hastings United were humbled by a resilient Valley performance as the visitors moved three points clear at the top of the table.
With Nathan Green suffering the effects of injury sustained against Ashford United two weeks ago, manager Kevin Watson recalled Francis Babalola wide on the left and was rewarded when the wide man opened the scoring shortly after half time.
After an early period when the hosts held territorial supremacy while rarely troubling the visiting rearguard, the first strike on goal fell to Marcel Barrington – the Valley striker’s low 15th minute drive being easily saved by U’s keeper Louis Rogers.
After Hassan Ibrahiym replaced a stricken Jack Sammoutis minutes later, there was an immediate increase in the Millers’ tempo.
As the game’s first two corners went the way of the improving visitors, Hastings posed a threat on goal of their own as one of many long throws from Oliver Black caused consternation in the centre of the defence. As the ball broke loose, Jack Dixon fired high over the bar.
Two former Millers then combined as David Martin’s cross from the left was only partially cleared as far as Sam Hasler who drove narrowly wide.
Following a first half where neither goalkeeper was forced to make a save worthy of the name, Babalola broke the deadlock in the 50th minute.
Matt Warren’s low cross from the right found its way to Babalola on the far side of the six yard box. Juggling the ball to beat defender Marcus Goldsmith, Babalola slid the ball back past Rogers into the corner of the net.
It was a lead that was to last only eight minutes however as Martin’s cross from the left was headed beyond Millers’ custodian Chris Lewington by Dixon.
With the “gloves” now off, Connor Dymond was then involved in an altercation with U’s striker Ben Pope just in front of the dugouts – although handbags were produced all round, referee Scott Rudd consulted with his assistant before deciding no action was required.
As Hastings pushed forward looking for the goal that would give them a much needed victory, substitute Sam Adams hooked a fierce shot from the “D” which Lewington was able to push over the bar – his first save of note coming six minutes from the end of the ninety.
With referee Rudd now indicating that six minutes of stoppage time would be played – following a head injury suffered by Rory Hill among other stoppages – it was Adeyemo who was to have the final, decisive word.
Barrington, putting in another notable shift up front, broke down the right. Out muscling U’s defender Black, he pulled the ball back to Adeyemo who followed up from behind to finish right footed low, true, and secure three points for the delighted Millers travelling contingent.
As U’s beaten defence appealed in vain for a foul by Barrington, Adams took the argument too far – seeing red along with coach Jon Meeny.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – MARCEL BARRINGTON – A hard working, selfless performance. Set up the winning goal with his strength and cool head

MATCH RATING: - ***

U’S : Rogers, Black, Worrall, Elphick, Penn, Dixon ©, Pope, Hasler (Adams 73), Goldsmith (Chalmers 55), Martin, Azeez (Legg 88)
Not Used : Pogue, Scott
Cautions : Dixon, Martin
Dismissed : Adams

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond, Blanks ©, Tumkaya, Gayle, Sammoiutis (Ibrahiym 18), Barrington, Babalola (Adeyemo 66), Brefo, Warren, Hill (Ompreon 90)
Not Used : N’Guessan, Tomlin

Referee : Scott Rudd
Assistants : Nik Garside and Edward Smith

Pic – Francis Babalola put pressure on the Hastings rearguard

Match photos by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
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Bloggers report: Courtesy of Tea, Cake and Football - Grounds of the UK
https://teacakeandfootballgroundsofthe.uk/2021/11/09/hastings-united-v-cray-valley-paper-mills-fc-the-pilot-field-saturday-13th-november-2021/

Photos courtesy of Hastings United website - Scott White official photographer
https://www.hastingsunited.com/news/bwg_gallery/13-11-2021-hastings-united-vs-cray-valley-pm/

Match Report - Hastings Observer
https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/sport/football/hastings-united-fume-over-late-cray-valley-pm-winner-3457276