YOUNG GUNS FIRE FOR MILLERS IN THE RAIN

LONDON SENIOR CUP (SPONSORED BY VEO) – 1ST ROUND

TOWER HAMLETS 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 5 - 20 OCT 2021
Goals: TH - Odedoyin 22, Tarh 45
CV- Hill 21, Day 31, Sammoutis 33, Babalola 49, Kelsey 87

Report by Richard J Green

VALLEY MOVED INTO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE LONDON SENIOR CUP in comprehensive style at a sodden Mayplace Road.
Debut goals from Harry Day and Josh Kelsey, along with a long awaited return to first team action for Joe N’Guessen were the standout features of a dominant Millers performance, although concern was raised over an injury to Day following an horrific tackle just before half time.
Manager Kevin Watson made five changes from the line up that started the last fixture against Chichester City, handing a first team debut to Day along with a first start for Jude Salmon.
It was Hamlets who were first out of the traps however – the impressive Akwo Tarh firing narrowly wide from a free kick, before calling Millers keeper Chris Lewington into action after Wale Odedoyin dispossessed Jack Beerling on the Valley right.
With Day looking lively up front, it was the visitors who took the lead however in the 21st minute, as the young debutant pulled the ball back from the goal line for Rory Hill to strike on the half volley.
It was a lead that lasted just a minute however as a Hamlets break down the left saw the ball reach Odedoyin who slotted the ball past Lewington.
Hill then hit the bar after cutting inside from the left, before Lewington was again called into action following a forceful run by Tahr.
It was then that the spotlight turned onto the lively Day as his cross/shot from the byeline on the right evaded home ‘keeper Taiwo Aliu before nestling into the far corner of the net.
Hill then set up fellow midfielder Jack Sammoutis to extend the lead for the visitors shortly after half an hour.
Then just before half time the mood of the evening changed.
Day was scythed down in midfield by Aziz Dean Conteh sparking an unsavoury melee that resulted in a yellow card for Valley’s Denzel Gayle along with the dismissal of Conteh for a combination of the foul and reaction during the aftermath.
This led Watson to introduce Kelsey for his debut as emotions threatened to boil over.
Tarh reduced the arrears for the hosts on the stroke of a half time whistle which brought a temporary halt to proceedings, as the first signs of precipitation fell to ground.
With the heavens now opening, Francis Babalola got on the scoresheet shortly after the break as the industrious Hill played him in to finally give the Millers some daylight.
N’Guessen then entered the fray as Valley continued to press before a third debutant was called into action – diminutive Jake Parrott replacing Gayle 15 minutes from time.
The “coup de gras” was then supplied by young Kelsey as, with playing conditions becoming increasingly difficult, his sublime turn and shot sealed a convincing performance by the visitors.

The Millers will now welcome either Clapton or Erith Town who meet on the 27th October to SE9 in the second round. Full details to be announced when available.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – RORY HILL – A performance full of endeavour, commitment and no shortage of skill

MATCH RATING: - ****

HAMLETS : Aliu, Marfo, Deen Conteh, Burgurah, Wilfurt, Kurgo, Tarh, Emmanuel (Duyile 34), Odedoyin, Kamara (Ropa 54), Assi (Okunlola 49)
Substitutes Not used: Alou, Turay
Cautions: Assi, Marl, Kargo
Sending Off: Deen Conteh

MILLERS : Lewington, Semakula, Tumkaya ©, Gayle (Parrott 74), Sammoutis (N’Guessen 60), Babalola, Ompreon, Hill, Salmon, Day (Kelsey 43), Beerling
Not used : Baughan, Waitson
Caution: Gayle

Referee – Tommy Breen
Assistants – Joshua Price and Ashley Da Santos

Pic – A rainswept Mayplace Road

Additional match report and pics courtesy of Mark Doig at Kent Sports News
https://www.kentsportsnews.com/tower-hamlets-2-5-cray-valley-pm-20-10-2021/