Pic – Back In The Fold – Valley team mates engulf Anthony Edgar after his 43rd minute strike at a storm ravaged Artic Stadium - Brownie Sports Photography.

Report by Richard J Green

Two years after leaving the club to join Herne Bay, Anthony Edgar returned to the Artic Stadium to fire Valley to a hard earned victory over a resilient Sittingbourne side.
Stepping into Kevin Watson’s starting line-up in place of the injured Jack Sammoutis, Edgar’s low 43rd minute strike proved decisive as Valley kept the pressure on leaders Hastings United.
With Paul Semakula and skipper Nat Blanks also returning, at the expense of injured Denzel Gayle and the late arriving Ade Adeyemo, it took just 15 minutes for the promotion hopefuls to take the lead.
Nathan Green’s floated cross from the left was met perfectly on the volley by Marcel Barrington six yards out to net his 19th goal of the season.
With the lively Green making an impressive impact on the left, it was Valley who were looking most likely to increase the scoring – Charlie Taylor saving Hassan Ibrahiym’s effort from another Green cross at the near post.
Ibrahiym received a caution from referee Craig Barnett on the half hour following an unnecessary trip on an opponent in midfield, leading to a period of opposing players looking to goad him into further indiscretion. It is much to his credit that he was able to maintain his composure and concentrate on the job in hand.
Meanwhile, Edgar was starting to find his feet among his new team mates before further endearing himself to them by firing Valley’s second shortly before half-time.
Taking possession from Barrington midway in the Sittingbourne half, he shuffled the ball onto his left foot before firing low beyond Taylor from 20 yards.
After Francis Babalola had a chance to further extend the lead – being thwarted at the near post by Taylor from Ibrahiym’s pass - The Brickies got back into the game ten minutes after half time.
Substitute Harry Stannard’s free kick from the left found the head of Lex Allen at the far post – the imposing centre back heading beyond the despairing Chris Lewington.
Despite Taylor Fisher aiming a succession of similar wind assisted crosses from the left, the Valley defence held firm to see the game out with few alarms and secure a fourth successive victory.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – NATHAN GREEEN – Forceful display on the left. Pinpoint cross picked out Marcel Barrington for the Millers’ opener

MATCH RATING: - ****

MILLERS : Lewimgton, Dymond, Green, Semakula, Blamks ©, Tumkaya, Edgar, Barrington, Babalola, Warren, Ibrahiym (Adeyemo 78)
Substitutes Not Used : Day, Beerling, N’Guessan, Sterling-Parker
Caution : Ibrahiym

BRICKIES : C.Taylor, Okoye-Ahaneku, Fisher, S.Flisher (D.Taylor 56), Pont, Allan, Anderson (Stannard 50), A.Flisher ©, Rowland, Caney-Bryan, Miller (Bancroft 78)
Substitutes Not used: Bamba, Dasho
Cautions : A.Flisher, Miller

Referee : Craig Barnett
Assistants : Luke Scottow and Joe Burgess

Match Photos and Video by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
Match Highlights - https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-highlights--cray-valley-pm-vs-sittingbourne-fc-19222-176578.html
Additional pictures can be found on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3399600000174159&type=3

Alternative match report courtesy of supporter Dmitri Old
https://lordcanislupus778.wordpress.com/2022/02/19/ferocity-emanating-achivement-recognised/

Footnote: Well done to the club's committee and friends who arrived early at the ground on Saturday morning to help clear the debris resulting from the effects of Storm Eunice the day before and make the ground safe. Whilst much work remains longer term to fix fences etc their efforts enabled today's game to go ahead.
See video link below for a view of the dramatic demise of the club's marquee caused by Storm Eunice:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/storm-eunice--goodbye-old-friend-176579.html