Pre-Season Friendly - Saturday 3rd August 2024
Chertsey Town 3 Cray Valley (PM) 2
Goals: CT - Lynch 22, McCoy 85 (pen), Robertson 88
CV - Parker 2, Coker 76

Richard's Iphone pic, McCoy scoring the penalty with the Thorpe Park roller coaster peaking through in the background.

A roller coaster afternoon for Valley in keeping with the Thorpe Park backdrop behind the goal in which two late goals including a penalty snatched victory for the Curfews. Valley had led twice, taking the lead in just the 2nd minute, Freddie Parker heading home Andre Coker's cross at the near post. However in an open first half, after a short break in play to allow a spectator who had fallen ill to receive attention, Connor Lynch equalised in the 22nd minute.

There were chances at both ends in what was proving to be a competitive game and in the 76th minute a moment of magic enabled Valley to re-take the lead. Kiki Oshilaja won the ball and defied several challenges before feeding the ball to Andre Coker. Coker cut in from the left onto his right foot and curled a pearler into the top corner, beyond the keepers reach, from twenty yards.

Marcel Barrington who had replaced Parker on the hour nearly repeated the effort from an almost identical spot but his shot went narrowly wide. Shortly after Barrington hit the post with another effort after good work from Oshilaja and Tom Chambers. The curfews pushed hard to try and level things up and initially they were repelled by the Valley defence.

The pivotal moment came on 85 minutes, Oshilaja conceding a penalty after being adjudged to have fouled his man just inside the area. The showing of a second yellow and a red adding to his woes. With two minutes remaining Luke Robertson scored the Curfews winner splitting the defence before sliding the ball past the keeper.

As was stated in the match preview attentions will now quickly turn to next Saturday's league opener but both teams will know they have played their part in an excellent pre-season friendly, full of quality and commitment.

Millers line up: Ovenden (Trialist 68), Williams (Chambers 68), Tumkaya, Lee (Oshilaja 50), Asiedu, Coker, Waldren, Vigor, Della-Verde, Ademiluyi, Parker (Barrington 60)

Post Match Interview - Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-gives-his-thoughts-on-a-32-defeat-at-chertsey-town-fc-in-the-final-preseason-game-3824-202543.html

Post Match Interview - Danny Waldren
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interviewdanny-waldren-speaks-about-pre-season-after-the-chertsey-town-game-3824-and-looks-ahead-to-dartford-fc-on-saturday-202602.html

Match Photos Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/preseason-friendly--chertsey-town-v-millers-3824-photos-inspire-socials-1109127.html