VALLEY PROMOTION HOPES SUNK BY MAY STRIKE

PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
PLAYOFF SEMI-FINAL
ASHFORD UNITED 1 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 0 - 26th APRIL 2022 - ATT 753
Goals: AU - May 6

By Richard J Green

Nathan Green’s last minute strike deflected wide off the post as Valley’s promotion push floundered at the penultimate hurdle in Kent.
With 94 minutes and 57 seconds on the clock, Green cut in from the right and thundered a rasping drive that beat Jordan Carey all ends up before striking the upright as referee Kane Dempster put the final whistle to his lips.
This was the closest Valley came in a dominant second half display, to cancelling out Jay May’s sixth minute opener for Ashford.
After a lively opening, a long ball found it’s way down the hosts right flank before Tommie Fagg flicked the ball on to Gary Lockyer. Lockyer’s low cross was converted by the experienced May at the far post to break the deadlock.
Denzel Gayle – making his 200th appearance for Valley – came close to equalising in the 12th minute as his low drive hit the foot of the post following good work by Connor Dymond.
Referee Dempster laid down his marker early on as he showed yellow to Anthony Edgar for deliberate hand ball as he attempted to claim a free kick, and Dymond for a deliberate trip, but in fairness this was reciprocated when the hosts were the protagonists.
Green went close for Valley as his effort was saved at the post by Carey following an Edgar corner, while May’s shot from the edge of the area was comfortably fielded by Chris Lewington in the Valley goal after Lockyer played on a Frannie Collin free kick.
Despite enjoying a good 10 minute spell of possession, Valley could also have fallen further behind as Fagg shot wide after Dymond lost possession.
Denzel Gayle again went close for the visitors just before the half-time whistle after being set up by Marcel Barrington.
The second half was pretty much dominated by Valley, while failing to apply the final touch when it mattered.
Barrington worked tirelessly up front but was often let down by a lack of support as his midfield colleagues seemed to take an age to arrive in support.
The “Nuts and Bolts” were forced to adopt a more direct approach to their play as Valley enjoyed the lions share of possession – also resorting to time wasting and “gamesmanship” as substitute Jarred Trespaderne went to ground holding his head in an attempt to get Hassan Ibrahiym into trouble. Luckily for Valley, the assistant was able to report no ill doing when questioned by Mr Dempster.
Lockyer had a chance to wrap the game up for Ashford in the 90th minute but shot high over the crossbar after Fagg dispossessed Matt Warren, before we had the now familiar sight of the goalkeeper in the opposition penalty area for a corner as Valley efforts continued to come to nought.

In the final reckoning, a run of four defeats and a draw in the last five games consigned Valley to their ultimate fate – another year in the Isthmian League South East Division.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – DENZEL GAYLE – A threat throughout on his 200th Valley appearance

MATCH RATING: - ****

NUTS & BOLTS : Carey, Simms, Diallo (Ter Horst 87), Wisson, Friend, Kamara, Collin, Fagg, May (Burdon 78), Lockyer, Kwayie (Trespaderne 62)
Not Used : Hook, Steventon
Cautions : Wisson, Kamara, Simms, Diallo

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond ©, Green, Tumkaya (Babalola 83), D.Gayle, Barrington, Brefo, Warren, Edgar, Ibrahiym (Adeyemo 71), I.Gayle
Not Used : Semakula, Blanks, Hill
Cautions : Dymond, Edgar

Referee – Kane Dempster
Assistants – Richard Joss and Teddy Osborn
Fourth Official – Peter Conn

Pic – Hassan Ibrahiym strides purposefully forward for Valley

Photo and Video highlights by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
More photos can be found on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3455840317883460&type=3