EDGAR STRIKES A SWEET SPOT FOR PLAYOFF BOUND MILLERS

PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV

VCD ATHLETIC 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 - 18th APRIL 2022 - ATT 161
Goals: VCD - Williams 9, 56
CV - D Gayle 32, Edgar 82

Report by Richard J Green

Vickers keeper Sam Mott can only watch on as Anthony Edgar’s rocket flies beyond him and into the net to secure a playoff place for the Millers

Less than ten minutes from the end of the penultimate game in this nine month “slogathon” of a season, Valley’s grip on a playoff place that had seemed theirs for the taking appeared to be loosening.
Faced with the prospect of a final day engagement with former boss James Collins and his Faversham Town side, Kevin Watson’s men could almost feel nearest rivals Ramsgate breathing down their necks as they halted their own recent poor run by romping to a 6-1 lead against Whitstable Town.
Trailing by two goals to one and knowing that a draw was needed to secure that playoff spot, Raheem Sterling-Parker raced on to the ball in the centre of the park, 40 yards from goal. Head down and bursting through, Sterling-Parker was brought crashing to the ground by Vickers’ defender Jamie Watson.
With defenders behind but to either side of him, Watson pleaded for mercy from referee Oliver Morris-Sanders while Valley supporters to his left bayed for red.
While Sterling-Parker nursed his injury, Morris-Saunders consulted with his assistant before deciding the offence warranted no more than a caution as tensions reached fever pitch.
Clock ticking down rapidly, Anthony Edgar surveyed the scene in front of him, took his customary “juddery” first steps, before crashing the ball beyond VCD keeper Sam Mott to trigger scenes of jubilation among those of SE9.
Despite the addition of five minutes plus of stoppage time, the point was secured and plans could start to be made for the extended season.

Valley came into the match on the back of successive defeats to the Towns of Sevenoaks and Burgess Hill, and without a goal scored in either game.
Suspension served, Connor Dymond returned to the heart of the defence alongside fit again Ian Gayle at the expense of Alex Brefo and Nat Blanks, while Paul Semakula, Denzel Gayle and Francis Babalola replaced Ade Adeyemo, Hassan Ibrahiym and Jack Sammoutis as Watson rotated his squad over the Easter period.

Proceedings started brightly for the edgy looking visitors as Marcel Barrington was brought down by Kiki Oshilaja just inside the penalty area in the seventh minute. Nathan Green strode forward purposefully before crashing his strike high over the bar – the netting protecting local residents’ gardens behind the goal proving it’s worth.
Within minutes, what could have been such a positive start for Valley took a decidedly nasty turn. The impressive Ayman El-Mogharbel sent over a cross from the left that found the head of Jason Williams who beat Liam Northwood from twelve yards.
Vickers threatened to extend their lead as El-Mogharbel’s header from a far post corner was well saved by Northwood, before Valley struck back on the half hour.
A long pass forward from Connor Dymond on half way fell to Denzel Gayle 20 yards from goal. The Millers’ winger went on a mazy run inside the 18 yard box before slotting gleefully beyond Mott to level the scores.
Parity restored, Valley went on the attack in an attempt to take control of the game as Babalola was brought down by Anthony Adesite on the left.
Edgar’s powerfully whipped free kick was kept out by Mott under pressure from Dymond before Ian Gayle’s follow-up effort was cleared.
This end to end encounter saw further action in first half injury time as El-Mogharbel struck Northwood’s left post with the keeper well beaten, before Matt Warren had an effort cleared off the line by Watson after excellent work by Edgar.
The Vickers regained the lead ten minutes into the second half as Youssef Bamba’s free kick was forced past Northwood by Watson from close in.
Mott saved well from Ian Gayle following a corner from Edgar as the ticking clock brought increasingly frayed nerves from the men in blue.
Manager Watson brought on strikers Ade Adeyemo and Sterling-Parker in an effort to re-energise his front line, but it was again Edgar who went closest to equalising as his 20 yard strike rebounded back into play off Mott’s upright.
Then, the clock ticking down, the final word was left to Edgar on an afternoon when the credibility of non-league football was upheld by a team with nothing to play for but local pride so nearly having an important say in the promotion stakes.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – ANTHONY EDGAR – More than just a crucial goal – a hardworking creative performance that should have brought further reward

MATCH RATING: - ****

VICKERS : Mott, Edwards (McKenzie 44), Dythe, Watson, Oshilaja, Adesite, Dawson ©, Etumnu (Lalloufi 74), Williams, El-Mogharbel (Black 79), Bamba Substitutes Not Used : Probets
Caution : Adesite, Etumnu, Oshilafa, Dawson, Watson, Black

MILLERS : Northwood, Dymond ©, Green (Blanks 56), Semakula (Adeyemo 65), Tumkaya, D.Gayle, Barrington (Sterling-Parker 65), Babalola, Warren, Edgar, I. Gayle Substitutes Not Used : Brefo, Ibrahiym
Cautions : I. Gayle

Referee – Oliver Morris-Sanders
Assistants – George Barker and Gary Baker

Pic: Denzel Gayle's joy at scoring the equaliser.

Photo and Video highlights by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
More photos Brownie Sports Photography can be found on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3448131105321048&type=3

Match highlights can be found at :- https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-fc-highlights--vcd-athletic-vs-cray-valley-pm-fc-18422-178459.html

Kevin Watson's thoughts - speaking to Richard J Green after the game.
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/kevins-thoughts-18422-178443.html