PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
DOVER ATHLETIC 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 - 39 NOV 2024 - ATT 1,020
Goals: DA - Soares-Junior 11, Charles-Cook 98
CV - Vigor 87, Oshilaja 99

Top of the table clashes often disappoint, this one certainly didn't with visiting skipper Kiki Oshilalja back-healing a 99th minute stoppage time equaliser to earn a deserved point. This was one minute after the Whites had taken a 2-1 lead through Roman Charles-Cook which looked to have secured all three points.

The Whites had taken an early first half lead after Luca Cocoracchio had unceremoniously shoved Barney Williams into touch as he looked to shield the ball out near the corner flag, he crossed to George Nikaj whose cushioned header back across goal was met by Roman Charles-Cook. His well executed overhead kick nestled in the bottom corner of the net as appeals for the earlier infringement were waived away.

Chances followed at both ends Dan Bowry and Thomas Beere both having shots blocked. Beere saw a powerful shot saved by Claudio Boake-Sarfu and Freddie Parker had a low shot fizz past the far post from the angle. The better chances though fell to the Whites and they probably should have increased their lead. Clement Asiedu got back in time to deny Nikaj, heading clear the shot from out wide with Ovenden out of his goal, before Williams made a vital interception moments later. The home side again went close in the 40th minute when Nikaj lobbed just over.

Second half and immediately the Millers had a chance to level. Beere was fouled and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Parker who with the keeper diving the wrong way saw his shot cannon off the foot of the post and out. The Millers continued to press forward and enjoyed the majority of play without really troubling the keeper.

The deserved equaliser came in the 87th minute substitute Matt Vigor who got in ahead of the keeper, his initial effort appeared to be saved but the rebound only found Vigor and came off his head into an empty net. In the second minute of initially five added minutes the Whites keeper Boakye-Sarfo made a fine save to tip wide substitute Michael Ademiluyi’s curling effort.

Whites felt they had won it deep in stoppage time, despite visiting appeals Soares-Junior had been offside, as Charles-Cook slotted into the bottom corner to spark wild scenes. But the resilient Millers weren’t done and Matt Vigor kept the ball alive heading back from beyond the far post for Oshilaja to smartly back-heel into the net. Cue more wild scenes this time behind the visitors goal and Oshilaja was frustratingly shown a second yellow for his celebration, having already been booked for an infringement towards the end of normal time, to see red. Clearly the rule makers had never given everything in a fascinating late late finale to a game which saw both teams take their unbeaten league run to ten games.

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Oshilaja (C), Bowry, Asiedu, Coker (Ademiluyi 65), Black (Vigor 60), Waldren (Coombes 76), Beere (Anau70), Shomotun (Tumkaya 76), Parker.
Sent off: Oshilaja 100 (2 yellow)

Whites: Boakye-Sarfo, Charles-Cook, Sesay, Cocracchio, Baptiste (Tennant 81), Nikaj, Soares-Junior (c), Pont (T Amgbaduba 96), Wilkinson ( Matthews 70), Mampolo (E Amgbaduba 65), Mensah Sub not used: Gyebi
Cautions: Soares-Junior, E Amgbaduba

Referee: Peter Conn
Assistants: Benjamin Marshall and Piotr Zachwieja

Kiki Last Gasp Equaliser:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/kiki-oshilaja-with-the-last-gasp-equaliser-206712.html

Full Match Highlights Courtesy of Dover Athletic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgXjMsDlzdE

Post Match Interview: Steve McKimm:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-reflects-on-a-game-of-two-halves-after-a-22-draw-away-at-dover-athletic-fc-301124-206709.html

Match Photos: Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/1124067/29687329.html