MILLERS BOUNCE BACK WITH BARRINGTON BRACE

PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV

HYTHE TOWN 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 4 - 15th JAN 2022 - ATT 221
Goals: HT - Sterling 4, Gilbert 37 CV - Gayle 3, Barrington 19, 88, Babalola 65

Richard J Green reports

Two goals from leading scorer Marcel Barrington, and strikes from Denzel Gayle and Francis Babalola saw Valley to their first victory since early December at Reachfields.
On a boggy, bobbly pitch, Millers manager Kevin Watson recalled skipper Nat Blanks and fit again Paul Semakula to replace the suspended Rory Hill and Hassan Ibrahiym while injuries to Raheem Sterling-Parker and Jack Sammoutis further depleted his squad.
But it didn’t take long for Valley to strike - Ade Adeyemo winning the ball in midfield before pushing forward and playing in Denzel Gayle on the right who carried the ball forward before firing low past Cannons keeper Henry Newcombe.
It was to be a short lived lead however as Tyler Sterling took a ball played in from Jack Nelson on the left before beating Chris Lewington low down in the Valley goal.
Barrington hit his first of the game in the 18th minute, beating Newcombe from close range after Connor Dymond played an exquisite ball in to the six yard box.
With Valley looking threatening in and around the hosts 18 yard box, Matt Warren was twice unfortunate not to extend the lead – Newcombe keeping his efforts at bay.
A young Hythe side, bolstered by the inclusion of player manager James Rogers and the experienced centre back pairing of George Crimmen and Scott Doe, refused to lay down however, equalising in style.
Jacob Gilbert hit a sumptuous lob from 20 yards over a beleaguered Lewington to send the teams in level at the interval, much to his surprise.
Blanks failed to reappear for the visitors in the second half, causing a reshuffle in the Millers defensive ranks – Dymond dropping back from an influential midfield role.
Nathan Green went close to restoring Valley’s lead – his far post header from Warren’s right side free kick being fumbled by Newcombe, before Francis Babalola’s follow up effort somehow stayed out.
Shortly after the hour mark however came the game’s defining moment.
What looked like a hopeful “punt” forward by Samakula was won by Babalola 20 yards out, who struck low past Newcombe’s right hand.
Referee Aaron Conn then found himself surrounded by disgruntled Cannons defenders before showing a red card to Doe for presumably arguing too vociferously.
With a central figure in the Hythe rearguard now absent from duty, Valley were unfortunate not to extend their lead – twice striking the frame of the home goal.
First Tumkaya headed a deep cross from Green against the crossbar, before Gayle was denied his second of the match – his shot striking the upright.
The last word was left to Barrington however - shooting low past Newcombe from Gayle’s right wing cross to secure three vital points for the visitors as the Cannons recent woes continued.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – NATHAN GREEN – A hard working display from the experienced wing back. A constant threat to down the left.

MATCH RATING: - ****

CANNON : Newcombe, Smith, Sibley, Rogers ©, Crimman, Doe, Woodhouse (Alford 72), Webster, Nelson (Sarfo 64), Gilbert, Sterling
Not Used : Walmsley

Cautions : Smith, Rogers
Dismissal : Doe

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond, Green, Semakula, Blanks © (Babalola 46), Tumkaya, Gayle (Day 90), Barrington, Adeyemo, Brefo, Warren
Not Used : N’Guessen, Osborne

Referee – Aaron Conn
Assistants – Matthew Charles and Wayne Horsfall

Pic – Valley pile on the pressure at Reachfields

Photo and Video highlights by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
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Match highlights can be found at :- https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-highlights--hythe-town-fc-vs-cray-valley-pm-fc-15122-175248.html