Pre-Season Friendly - Tuesday 22nd July 2025
Cray Valley (PM) 1 Hornchurch 1
Goals: CV - Vigor (pen) 7
H - Ruff 58

An entertaining and enjoyable game finished all square. Valley wearing their new "away" blue kit for the first time took the lead in the 11th minute from a Matty Vigor penalty after Luke Holness was fouled in the area with Charlie Ruff equalising for the National South visitors with a good strike from a free kick 30 yards out.

Special mention to Valley's ex-keeper Max Ovenden who stepped in as cover for the absent Shaun Rowley whose wife has just given birth. Max made a sensational save early on, the ball seemed destined for the top right hand corner from the free kick, edge of the box, before Max's outstretched hand intervened to palm the ball away for a corner. This was followed by a penalty save from Hornchurch's Wraight diving low to his right, pictured above, in the 18th minute.

Valley deserved their lead at the interval playing some excellent football in the opening half with Fumnaya Shomotun a constant threat on the left. Second half was more even with both teams creating chances, Max making another good save and Ibby Akanbi seeing his header from Denzel Gayle's cross saved by the Hornchurch keeper at the other end.

All in all another good pre-season work out and Valley will be pleased with their defensive work and overall play. Next up on Saturday is a trip to Tooting & Mitcham. Kick off is at 1pm.

Post Match Interview; Assistant Manager Barry Moore
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-pm-11-hornchurch--assistant-manager-barry-moore-postmatch-thoughts-22725-212175.html

Match Photos; Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-hornchurch-preseason-22725-photos-inspire-socials-1145048.html