PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 1 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 - 1 JAN 2025 - ATT 430
Goals: CA - Smith 72
CV - Beere 10, Williams 21

Barney Williams and Danny Waldren celebrate Valley's second goal.

First half goals from Tom Beere and Barney Williams secured three points for the Millers despite a rally in the second half from the Robins with David Smith pulling a goal back on 72 minutes.

Valley started brightly and a Beere free kick found the head of Oshilajaj but Robins keeper Henry was equal to it. However he could do nothing on ten minutes when Danny Waldren squared the ball for Berre to tap home into an empty net to give Valley the lead. Chances followed at both ends, Fumnaya Shomotun saw his cross come shot palmed away by the keeper, Dan Bowry made a timely interception at the other end and Fabio Camacho-Sarauva unleashed a long range effort from distance which flew just over the bar.

On 21 minutes Willams, who doesn't do tap ins, increased Valley's lead with a powerful drive from out wide which beat the keeper and nestled into the bottom far corner. As the interval approached Valley were forced to defend as the Robins pressed forward looking to get back in the game. Half time 0-2.

Valley were in the ascendancy immediately after the re-start, Beere striking the top of the cross bar after his shot took a slight deflection. The Robins gradually gained momentum and went close from a succession of corners. With twenty minutes remaining another Beere free kick was met by the head of Oshilaja, this time finding the back of the net but the assistants flag was raised for offside. As so often happens in football a disallowed goal at one end was immediately taken advantage of at the other end. With the next attack the Robins scored, Smith with the header past Max Ovenden to make it 1-2.

Thereafter Valley endured a nervy finish as the Robins went in search of an equaliser, shots were blocked and Ovenden made a good save with his legs. Valley too had further chances, Coombes appearing to casually flick a Shomotun ball in, perhaps thinking he was offside, the best. Never an easy afternoon for football in wet and windy conditions Valley withstood late pressure and held on for a deserved win and secure all three points.

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Oshilaja (c), Bowry, Chambers, Ademiluyi (Coker 67), Black (Anau 81), Waldren, Beere, Shomotun, Parker (Coombes 87) Subs not used: Tumkaya, Barrington
Cautions: Bowry, Waldren

Robins: Henry, Chima (Goather-Braithwaite 54), Read, Atewologun, Sankoh, Camacho-Saraiva, Saunders-Henry, Bradford (c), Firming (Salami 86), Ifeanyi, Smith Subs not used: Ming, Foley, Koroma
Cautions: Frimpong

Referee: Patrick Nixon
Assistants: Thomas Nicholls and Oliver Hind

Post Match Interview: Millers Assistant Manager Barry Moore
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--barry-moore-reflects-on-a-21-victory-away-at-carshalton-athletic-fc-1125-207382.html

Opposition Match Report courtesy Carshalton Athletic FC website:
https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/cafc-vs-cray-valley-match-report/

Match Photos: Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/carshalton-athletic-v-millers-1125-photos-inspire-socials-1126404.html