VALLEY BLASTED THEIR WAY BACK TO THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE AS THE CANNONS MISFIRED AT THE ARTIC STADIUM.
Goals from Denzel Gayle, Jack Sammoutis, Marcel Barrington and a Nathan Green penalty made it fifteen in a week for the goal happy Millers, as Hythe Town were left to feel the full weight of their mounting promotion charge.
One change from Saturday’s line-up saw Gayle replace Francis Babalola for the Millers, and the first notable moment of the game came when an accurate crossfield pass from Frannie Collin led to Kane Phillip firing narrowly wide for the visitors.
Valley slowly began to get on top however as, following excellent work down the left by Gayle, Barrington had a close range effort blocked for a corner.
As pressure mounted and opportunities started to appear, Gayle broke the deadlock with a sweet left foot strike after excellent hold up play by Barrington.
Will Godman was now facing a barrage in the Cannons goal as efforts from Green, Sammoutis and Barrington threatened to extend the Millers lead, but it wasn’t until shortly after half time that the second goal came.
Connor Dymond made a rare foray down the left wing before laying the ball back to Sammoutis, who curled a delicious drive past Godman from the arc of the Hythe penalty area.
Matt Warren was revelling in the freedom afforded him by the introduction of Dymond to the midfield, courtesy of the recruitment of Alex Brefo in the heart of the Valley defence.
And it was Warren’s cross from the left that struck a defensive arm that led to Referee Maros Valko awarding the hosts a 55th minute penalty - Green sending Godman the wrong way to make it 3-0.
Leading scorer Barrington made it four on the hour as he ran from within his own half to cooly finish with his left foot under the crestfallen Godman.
Phillip blazed an opportunity over the bar from a rare Cannons raid, but it was Valley who came closest to adding to the scoring – Godman saving at close range from Rory Hill, while Sammoutis had a goalbound effort cleared off the line as the hosts ran out convincing winners.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – MATT WARREN – Laid the foundation for all the good work that was to follow in front of him

MATCH RATING: - ***

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond (Semakula 65), Green (Ompreon 68), Blanks ©, Tumkaya, Gayle, Sammoutis Barrington, Brefo, Warren, Hill (N’Guessan 79)
Substitutes Not used : Babalola, Salmon
Cautions : Green

CANNONS : Godman, Webster ©, Gordon, Rogers, Wynter, Smith, Brown (Leighton 57), Oldaker, Phillip, Collin (Trespaderne 77), Gilbert (Sarfo 57)
Substitutes Not used: Walmsley, Cheek
Cautions : Smith

Referee – Maros Valko
Assistants – Adam Miller and Ronald Albert

Photos: Brownie Sports Photography @BSportsphotos

Marcel Barrington after scoring