MILLER’S SUBS SINK THE BRIDGE

VELOCITY TROPHY – 1ST ROUND

CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 HULLBRIDGE SPORTS 1 - 2 NOV 2021
Goals: CV- Eruotor 48, Jarvis 64
HS- Ipanga-Mbambo 51

Report by Richard J Green

GOALS FROM DEBUTANTS RODNEY ERUOTOR (pictured above slotting home the opening goal) AND SCOTT JARVIS EARNED A MUCH CHANGED MILLERS SIDE a trip to North Division Coggeshall Town or AFC Sudbury in the second round of the Isthmian League Cup at a chilly Artic Stadium.
Fielding eight changes from the line-up that overcame Ashford United in Saturday’s league encounter, manager Kevin Watson took an opportunity to give game time to several fringe members of his squad in what was an entertaining evening’s football against opponents currently at the bottom of the North Division table.
Following a closely contested first half, the Millers took the lead shortly after the break when Francis Babalola played in Eruotor to cooly shoot low past Lewis Greene in the visitors goal.
The deadlock now broken, The Bridge hit back minutes later. A sweet move down the right wing led to an equalising goal as Sam Brogan’s pass inside was converted by Gabriel Ipanga-Mbambo.
With what was always an easy game on the eye now opening up, Ryan Penton’s low cross just after the hour was helped on by Babalola for Jarvis to net the winning goal.
Further chances came and went – Billy Holmes’ free kick was turned over the bar by Miller’s keeper Chris Lewington, while an excellent run by the impressive Eruotor finished with him shooting narrowly wide for Valley – but the hosts were able to see the game out quite comfortably to continue their impressive run of form.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – PAUL SEMAKULA – A strong “captains performance” in front of the Millers’ back line.

MATCH RATING: - ***

MILLERS : Lewington, Semakula ©, Tumkaya (Jarvis 46), Serry-Kumal, Smith (Eruotor 46), Penton (Jones 70), Babalola, Brefo, Ompreon, N’Guessan (Potter 46), Tomlin
Not Used : Hughes
Cautions: Semakula

THE BRIDGE : Greene, Abudiore, Dunbar-Bonnie, Watson ©, Wilson, Folarin, Knight, Forrest, Ipanga-Mbambo, Brogan (Age 77), Holmes
Not used : Blackburn, Agyeman

Referee – Farai Hallam
Assistants – William Donnelly and Joseph Turnpenny

Main Pic- Goalmouth action as Millers attack

Match photos by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
Talented bench!