A competitive game ended goalless but both teams will take positives from the game. The Millers enjoyed most of the play in the opening half and created a number of chances with Denzel Gayle prominent down the right hand flank. The Rangers keeper believed to be a trialist made a number of good saves. Just before the interval there were appeals for a goal from the Millers but photos (see pic above) later confirmed the ball had not fully crossed the line when cleared by the Rangers defender. Rangers always maintained a threat going forward although Chris Lewington in the Millers goal was on the whole untroubled.

Second half and National South Concord Rangers started to impose themselves on the game making a number of substitutions as more familiar names replaced trailists A, B and C etc. They had more possession as the game went on but the Millers making a number of substitutions themselves held firm and the game ended all square.

After such a hot day, the heat did relent slightly in the evening and there was even a short refreshing rain shower at one point in the first half. No game this weekend but the Millers return to the Artic Stadium next Tuesday 26th July when they take on National League South Champions from last season and now National League side Maidstone United. Supporters welcome, admission £5 for all, kick off is 19.45pm.

Additional Match Report courtesy of Jack Hayman of The Non League Chronicles
see link for facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thenonleaguechronicles

Cray Valley Paper Mills 0-0 Concord Rangers
Tuesday 19th July 2022
The Artic Stadium
Pre Season Friendly
£5 Admission

Words: Jack Hayman

Well it had to happen sooner or later this season and it happened tonight the dreaded 0-0! The most hated thing for the hardcore professional hoppers like Dan Turner, Charlie Bradford or even Simon Baker who’ve seen games in over 300 grounds.
Having decided to opt for some Charlie Bradford style local convenience and head to aptly named Artic Stadium home of Cray Valley Paper Mills on the hottest day of the year in the hopes of taking in a game in the shade with Concord Rangers the visitors.
Both sides named very unfamiliar sides with Concord named 6 Trialists in the lineup and Cray Valley naming 3. However it was a staple of The Millers’ recent successes that had the 1st opportunity with Denzel Gayle picking the ball up side on the left and driving inside before hitting a good effort which the visiting keeper did well to palm over.
The home side were very much dominant in the opening period and with the temperature dropping a good 10 degrees from the 39 degree high of this afternoon it actually made for a half decent game with Gayle very much at the forefront of the action.
A lovely diagonal from Conor Dymond allowed the fleet footed winger to burst into the area before seeing his shot deflected slightly wide for a corner which was eventually cleared.
They were queueing up at this point and a ball from the right found one of the Cray Valley Trialists unmarked in the area but he could only force a good save out of the grateful keeper with his legs when he arguably should have scored.
The keeper made another great save moments after when a throw was worked to Gayle on the edge of the area and he swivelled quickly and looked to go low and hard with a right footed shot which was again palmed behind for a corner.
Concord did have some sporadic forays into the final 3rd with the best of these in the 1st period being in the 22nd minute when a trialist blasting just wide.
The chances continued to come and a smart ball through the lines found Cray’s Barney Williams through on goal but he could only force the keeper to palm the ball high and then collect at 2nd attempt.
The last notable moment of the half came soon after when Hassan Ibrahyim went down under challenge in the area which looked to be a good shout for a penalty but the ref wasn’t interested and gave a free kick against The Millers’ forward.

HT 0-0

To be fair the 2nd half wasn’t a classic and although Concord were the better side it was a half disjointed with lots of subs. Concord did create a couple of chances which forced a couple of decent saves out of Chris Lewington.
Conor Dymond had 2 nibbles at a good delivery from a corner before some pinball was bought to a halt by the refs whistle.
In truth that was about it apart from some handbags involving 20 of 22 players on the pitch and both benches after a fairly innocuous challenge.

FT 0-0

Not a classic but always nice to get down to Cray Valley and see familiar faces.