HUNGRY MILLERS BRING ARTIC CHEER

PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 SEVENOAKS TOWN 0 - 1st FEB 2022 - ATT 130
Goals: CV - Gayle 12, Adeyemo 53, Barrington 90

Match Report by Richard J Green

Goals from Denzel Gayle, Ade Adeyemo and Marcel Barrington brought February cheer after what can only be described as a “dry January” for promotion chasing Valley.
Jack Sammoutis was recalled to the Millers’ midfield to add more creativity than that offered by the more defensive minded Paul Semakula, while Denzil Gayle once again rotated with Francis Babalola out wide. And with opposition looking to go toe to toe with their hosts, the match promised better fayre than that witnessed against recent defensive minded opposition in East Grinstead Town and Phoenix Sports.
From the off, Valley showed greater urgency than of late – maybe conscious of the fact that the play-off chasing pack were fast making up ground.
And the game couldn’t have got off to a more compelling start as Ade Adeyemo failed to hit the target from Gayles 2nd minute corner before Oaks striker Louis Collins raced through on the Valley goal in the 6th minute.
In death or glory pursuit, centre back Alex Brefo tweeked a hamstring before heroically getting a touch on the ball to avert the danger - leading to his substitution by midfielder Rory Hill.
Once the required defensive reshuffle had settled down however – Connor Dymond moving back into centre defence – Valley’s early enterprise was rewarded with an opening goal.
Following excellent possession in and around the Oaks penalty area, Gayle cut in from the right, leaving stricken defenders in his wake before curling a left footed strike wide of Sevenoaks’ keeper Daniel Colmer’s right hand and into the far corner of the net.
Spurred on by their growing vocal support, a massive cheer of relief could be heard emanating from the Artic Stadium from those proudly displaying the Millers’ colours.
As if a burden had been lifted from their shoulders after firing two successive blanks, Valley continued to create – albeit spurn – a succession of chances as Adeyemo, Hill and Gayle all failed to hit the target leaving the hosts with just a single goal advantage at the interval, while their “game opponents” remained in contention.
Watching Whitstable Town manager Keith McMahon was seen leaving the ground at half time, no doubt pondering the onslaught his side could face on Saturday.
And after Adeyemo again failed to find the target from Hill’s 48th minute through ball, the young striker – finally putting on the kind of display he’s capable of – finally extended Valley’s lead.
Taking possession through centre midfield, Adeyemo’s rising shot was spilled through Colmer’s outstretched hands before falling behind him and trickling into the net.
For all their efforts, Oaks’ first effort on goal came 20 minutes from time when leading scorer Collins hooked over Chris Lewington’s bar from the edge of the area.
Moments later, Valley could have been out of site when Sammoutis’ free kick from the left evaded all as it sped across the Oaks’ six yard box.
After Jason Fregene headed narrowly over the bar from a deep cross for the visitors, Barrington completed the scoring in injury time – firing low past Colmer from 20 yards,
Also worthy of note is four successive clean sheets kept by a Valley rearguard shorn of skipper Nat Blanks and keeper Lewington at various timeson occasions, as well as losing Brefo early in this game.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – DENZEL GAYLE – Scored the all important early goal and remained a threat throughout

MATCH RATING: - ****

MILLERS : Lewimgton, Dymond ©, Green, Tumkaya, Gayle, Sammoutis (Semakula 73), Barrington, Adeyemo, Brefo (Hill 7), Warren, Ibrahiym (Babalola 78)
Substitutes Not Used : Blanks, Beerling
Caution : Hill

OAKS : Colmer, Pilbeam, Fregene, Bingham, Rogers ©, Roberts, Palmer, Leppard (Johnson 65_, De Silva (Dunn 78), Collins, Ansah
Substitutes Not used: Davisson, Devine, Ikpeme
Cautions : Rogers, Bingham

Referee : Alexander Kyriacou
Assistants : Dele Sotimirin and Ronald Albert

Pic – Denzel Gayle’s left footed strike fires Valley into an early lead

Match Photos and Video by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos

Match Highlights –