EMIRATES FA CUP SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND - 16 SEP 2023 - ATT 159
NORTHWOOD 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2
Goals: N - Alexander-Greenaway 7, William 58
CV - Lisbie 5, Parker 22

Report courtesy of Robin Piper for the Non league Paper
It was honours even at the Skyline Roofing Stadium as the Woods twice came back from a goal down to equalise. There was a blistering start as the impressive Kyrell Lisbie netted in the fifth minute only for Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway to level two minutes later. The Millers dominated the first half and were back in front when Freddie Parker converted a Lisbie cross. The Woods hit an equaliser after 58 minutes through Dan Williams. After the final whistle there were red cards shown to Woods’ Andrew McCorkell and the Millers’ Jensen Grant for an altercation that came out of nowhere.
STAR MAN: Kyrell Lisbie (Cray Valley PM)

David's personal perspective
Having endured the M25 to Slough in the last round for the lastest FA Cup adventure I decided to let the train take the strain for our visit to Northwood. It turned out to be a good decision, catching the wonderful sight of the River Thames backdrop as we passed through Blackfriars on our way to Farringdon. From there it's the Metropolitan line all the way to Northwood Hills passing the famous Wembley with its arch in full splendour and Harrow on the Hill which brought back fond memories from a past life when working. Meeting Rob and Bill along the route, first stop on arriving was the Cafe Hills, before making the short walk to the ground. A thank you to the Northwood secretary Alan for his shortcut tip which took us past the recreation ground where a cricket match was in full flow.

Team sheet sorted and exchanged although a late change saw Denzel Gayle replace Michael Ademiluyi who felt something not quite right in the warm up. On tweet duty today and it's a cracking start form the Millers who take an early lead. After a succession of shots were blocked the ball falls to the feet of Kyrell Lisbie just inside the box and he fires past the keeper, his 7th of the season and maintains his run of scoring in each of the last 7 games.

Unfortunately before I had finished typing the opening goal, the Woods equalised. Defending didn't look to clever but the low shot was well struck past the outstretched hand of Max Ovenden into the far corner. The Millers were very much on top thereafter and re took the lead on 22 minutes. Kiki Oshilalja on as a substitute for the injured Hassan Ibrahiym made an excellent run through the middle, passed out wide to Lisbie whose crossed to Freddie Parker to finish from close in. The Millers then created a number of chances to add a third but it never came. Sonny Black's precise shot aiming for the top corner was well saved by the Woods keeper Andrew McCorkell. With the interval approaching Parker played a one two to put Gayle through on goal with just the keeper to beat but his effort was saved.

After the usual half time coffee and biscuit I took my seat in the stand expecting to see the Millers resume where they left off. It didn't happen and for the period after the re-start the Woods were very much in the ascendency and equalised just before the hour mark. Dan Williams latched onto a long ball through the middle and finished well, low past Ovenden. The Woods continued to press and went close after a free kick which brought about a double save by Ovenden reacting quickly to block the rebound effort under pressure from a couple of red shirts looking to capitalise.

In the final twenty minutes or so it was the Millers who came closer to grabbing the winner. Lisbie very much in the action as first his shot was well held by the keeper with Parker in attendance and then he was through one on one with the keeper, tried to go round him but McCorkell was equal to it. It was a good spell for the Millers but despite the pressure the goal wouldn't come. Matt Vigor did put the ball in the back of the net near the end but the assistants flag was raised for offside.

In the final moments a free kick in a dangerous central position just outside the box for the Woods saw Ovenden get down well and hold onto the shot which was straight at him but one that could easily have spilled. That was the end of the action or so it should have been. After the final whistle a melee broke out in the centre of the pitch and I later found out that a red card for the Woods keeper McCorkell and Millers Grant Jensen had been shown. They will now face suspensions of 3 matches each but will both be available for the replay which takes place this Tuesday at the Artic Stadium, kick off 19.45pm.

The return train journey home went smoothly and I would certainly repeat the transport method if the opportunity arises again. Back to the car on Tuesday though.

Northwood: McCorkell A, Stacey, Dunbar-Bonnie, Stewart, Tingey, Gallager, Otote (Newman 90), Alexander-Greenaway, (McCorkell H 90), Williams (Jenkins 74), Oppong, Anomie-Boadi Subs not used: Brophy, Jonas, Smith, Messer
Sent off: McCorkell A (95 min)

Millers: Freeman, Williams, Grant, Lee (c), Asiedu, Gayle (Ekpitete 74), Black, Vigor, Ibrahiym (Oshilaja 13), Parker, Lisbie Subs not used: Chambers, Tumkaya, Coombes, Ademiluyi, Wicks
Cautions: Black, Lee
Sent off: Grant (95 min)

Referee: Daniel England
Assistants: Reece Woodham and Samuel Gregory

Match Photos: Romana Rule of Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/fa-cup--northwood-v-millers-16923-photos-inspire-socials-1074407.html

Video Match Highlights:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/highlights--emirates-fa-cup-22-draw-away-to-northwood-fc-1692023-193466.html

Post Match Interview with Millers Assistant Manager Barry Moore:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--barry-moore-reflects-on-the-2-2-draw-away-to-northwood-fc-in-the-emirates-fa-cup-16923-193314.html

Opposition match report and photos.
https://www.northwoodfc.com/Reports/CrayValley-FAC-H.html