VALLEY LANCE TROPHY HOODOO

ISUZU FA TROPHY – 1st ROUND QUALIFYING

LANCING 1 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 4 - 13th Sep 2022 - ATT 93
Goals: L - Powell 83
CV - Black 45, Coombes 52, Chambers 53, Majekodunmi 90

Report by Richard J Green

Valley moved into the 2nd round qualifying, and a home tie against East Thurrock United with this comfortable victory at Culver Road.
In an opening period dominated by The Millers both possession wise and territorially, the visitors created little until a 16th minute free kick taken by Dan Bennett on the left was tipped away for a corner by Alieu Secka just as it was destined for the top corner.
Lancing threatened briefly after Connor Dymond gave the ball away to Marcel Powell in midfield – Kiki Oshilaja thwarting any danger as he dispossessed Louis Veneti 18 yards out.
The Lancers plans to nullify Valley superiority were undone in the 25th minute however when, after a dazzling piece of skill in midfield, Isaiah Firouz Ali Corrie overran the ball before clattering into Antone Douglas. Referee Jordan McRitchie deemed the challenge dangerous and had little hesitation in dismissing the Lancing man.
This stiffened the hosts resolve to repel visiting advances – Secka being called into action to prevent goal-bound efforts from Hassan Ibrahiym and a fierce strike from Adam Coombes, which he fisted away for a corner. Dymond’s header from the resultant flag kick was saved low down, before the Valley skipper’s header from a later Bennett free kick lacked power.
The deadlock was broken of the verge of halftime however as the impressive Sonny Black rounded off an influential 45 minutes by heading Dymond’s cross from the left past the keeper.
As the referee played a generous amount of added time, Lancing had a brief spell of pressure as a free kick by Marcus Allen was headed across the face of goal by Thomas Butler but beyond the range of any teammates.
The tie was effectively settled within ten minutes of the restart however as first, Coombes deflected 20 yard shot wrong footed Secka, before a Tom Chambers effort took a deflection before looping over the crestfallen custodian.
Kevin Watson took the opportunity to give game time to Barney Williams, Riley Asaam and newcomer Ayo Majekodunmi – Asaam looking particularly lively – as the level of intensity inevitably waned.
Powell pulled a goal back for Lancing in the 82nd minute with a low drive from the edge of the area following a corner, before Majekodunmi dispossessed Secka on the edge of the 18 yard box to slot home on the stroke of the final whistle to seal proceedings.
After falling at the first hurdle in each of their previous FA Trophy campaigns, Valley at last had something to celebrate as they returned home from West Sussex.

MATCH RATING: - ***

MAN OF THE MATCH – Sonny Black

LANCERS : Secka, Legrange (Hatch 69), Zabadne, Daniels-Yeomans, Butler, Allen, Stephenson, Goldsmith, Veneti (Bayoko 54), Corrie, Powell
Substitute Not Used : Manderson
Caution : Legrange
Dismissal : Corrie

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond © (Williams 59), Chambers (Asaam 71), Oshilaja, Tumkaya, Gayle (Majekodunmi 59), Black, Coombes, Douglas, Bennett, Ibrahiym
Substitute Not Used : Davis-Whitlock
Caution : Tumkaya

Referee : Jordan McRitchie
Assistants : Peter Andrews and Daniel Jeffery

Pic – Valley apply pressure on the Lancers goal at Culver Road
Match Photo by Paul Smith @pfbphotography

Link to Gallery with match photos courtesy of Lancing FC photographer Paul Smith @PFBPhotography
https://lancingfc.co.uk/2022/09/14/gallery-lancing-1-cray-valley-4/