DOCKERS SINK MILLERS

LONDON SENIOR CUP (sponsored by veo) – 2nd ROUND

CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 ERITH TOWN 3 - 9th NOV 2021 – ATT 94
Goals: CV - Eruotor 32 ET - Obasa 15, 40, Palfrey 20

Report by Richard J Green
TWO FIRST HALF GOALS FROM LEFT SIDED STRIKER FRED OBASA saw the Dockers sail through to the third round at The Artic Stadium against an inexperienced Millers backline.
With manager Kevin Watson fielding a combination of youngsters and players on the fringes of his first eleven, it was no surprise that Valley took a while to settle against more senior opposition.
Debutant goalkeeper James Town saw a plethora of crosses flash across his six yard box as Town looked to cash in the hosts early defensive uncertainty.
It was however following a fine Millers move that Obasa opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Millers youngster Rodney Eruotor played in Joe N’Guessan whose low drive across keeper Ali Ozcelik struck the far post. From the clearance, the ball was played upfield to Obasa on the left, who fired just inside keeper Town’s near post.
As the Dockers looked to exert more pressure on their young opponents, Sam Bailey hit a fierce cross cum shot from the left that Town did well to push over the bar.
And from the resultant corner, the ball somehow found it’s way to Daniel Palfrey at the far post to head home and extend the Erith lead.
Eruotor pulled a goal back for Valley after waltzing round Ozcelik just after the half hour, before the Millers once again struck the woodwork. Superb interplay between N’Guessan and the returning Ade Adeyemo saw the former’s shot deflected onto the same post he had hit earlier. Ever think it’s not going to be your night ?
But Erith restored their two goal cushion five minutes before the interval as, following confusion among the Valley backline, the ball fell kindly to Obasa in the 18 yard box to net his second.
A fine display from Adam Woodward’s side saw them come close to extending their lead further in the second half but the Millers somehow managed to prevent further embarassment as The Dockers now look forward to hosting Barking or Met Police in the third round.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – JOE N’GUESSAN – Getting stronger with every game, Joe was twice unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.

MATCH RATING: - ***

MILLERS : Town, Penton (Joyce 82), Beerling, Hopper, Salmon ©, Serry-Kamal, Eruotor, Adeyemo, N’Guessan (Obianigwe 77), Ompreon, Tomlin
Not used : Kelsey, Potter, Smeeth
Cautions : Ompreon,

DOCKERS : Ozcelik, Jeffery, Jonah, Palfrey, Oduguwa, McDonagh, Gamble (Callender 80), Goodchild, Bailey, Power © (Eldridge 67), Obasa (T.Nash 80)
Substitutes Not used: D.Nash, Nosike

Referee – Abdul Olol
Assistants – Jack Phillips and Sikiru Idris

Pic – Valley’s sole crumb of comfort as Eruotor equalises after half an hour

Match photos by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos