DFDS KENT SENIOR CUP – 1st ROUND

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 - 27th Sep 2022 - ATT 178
Goals: FI - Jackson 68
CV - Ibrahiym 45, 77, Coombes 52

Report by Richard J Green

Valley moved into the second round of the County cup with this convincing win down on the coast.
A relatively uninspiring first half burst into life on the cusp of the half time whistle when Chris Lewington was called into action, forcing a fierce volley by the impressive Ira Jackson for a corner.
Valley then took the lead with only seconds of the one minute stoppage time allowed by referee Phillips remaining, as Adam Coombes broke through to the bye line on the left of the Invicta penalty area before laying the ball back for Hassan Ibrahiym to force home from 3 yards.
A strong start to the second half by the visitors was then rewarded as Ade Adeyemo won possession before proceeding on a forceful run through the heart of the Invicta defence – the finish being applied by Adam Coombes who rounded goalkeeper Bailey Vose to extend Valley’s lead.
Denzel Gayle – wearing the skipper’s armband against his brother Ian’s side – was then on the end of an excellent move involving Adeyemo and Ibrahiym – his effort being closed down by Invicta goalkeeper Bailey Vose.
With 20 minutes remaining however, the hosts pulled a goal back – a free kick from all of 25 yards by Jackson beating Lewington.
Ibrahiym came close shortly after to restoring Valley’s two goal advantage, as he raced onto a through ball by Coombes before firing against the post.
Not to be denied however, within moments Ibrahiym did find the net as he took the ball in space on the right side of the area before firing home with aplomb.
At this point, the hosts knew the game was gone – Gayle being denied a deserved goal by Vose, before Ibrahiym himself was denied the match ball as his powerful shot was pushed away for a corner in the dying moments.

The reward for Kevin Watson’s men after this comprehensive victory is a mouth watering tie at home to National League side Bromley next month.

MATCH RATING: - ***

MAN OF THE MATCH – Hassan Ibrahiym

INVICTA : Vose, Robbie Dolan, Green, Gayle, Newman ©, Rogers, Draycott, Ronnie Dolan (Dancer), Jackson, Yusuff (Atherton), Olutade
Substitutes Not Used : Everitt, Vincent, Davey

MILLERS : Lewington, Chambers, Williams, Oshilaja, Gayle ©, Coombes (Bennett 78), Majek (Dymond 89), Samuels (Black 83), Douglas, Ibrahiym, Adeyemo
Substitutes Not Used : Tumkaya, Black, Davis-Whitlock
Caution : Majek

Referee : Harry Phillips
Assistants : Richard Joss and Matthew Turner

Main Pic above: Hassan Ibrahiym scoring the Millers opening goal

View from behind the sticks:

Match Highlights courtesy of Folkestone Invicta. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IkBVok_lUgk&feature=youtu.be