KENT SENIOR CUP FIRST ROUND - 10TH SEPT 2025 - ATT 182
ASHFORD UNITED 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3
GOALS: AU - Albangbee 54, Lockyer 67
CV - Vigor 48, Jeffrey 82, Akbani (pen) 92

MILLERS IN DRAMATIC FINALE AS THEY UNDO NUTS & BOLTS

Ibby Akbani scoring the penalty to win the game

They say fortune favours the brave, step forward assistant manager Barry Moore, in charge for the night, 2-1 down twelve minutes of normal time left. off the bench come U18's Theo Jeffrey and Will Benedict to make their first team debuts. Four minutes later Theo equalises, a cleanly struck low drive from the edge of the box. Will had his part to play, calmly clearing when finding himself last man as Valley pressed forward. In added time Dan Ajakaiye was fouled in the area and Ibby Akbani stepped up to score the winner from the penalty spot. The win sees Valley progress to the next round of the Kent Senior Cup where they will play Ebbsfleet United at the Artic Stadium on Tuesday 7th October ko 19.45.

The first half saw Valley dominate for the most part, creating numerous chances along the way as they passed the ball well. Fumnaya Shomotun a constant threat on the right flank and Akbani among others, coming close, with the Nuts & Bolts keeper Scott Podger-King forced into action to make good saves on a couple of occasions. Ashford themselves forced debutant Valley keeper Dan Smith to make good save and ex-Miller Rodney Eurotor struck a post mid way through the half proving it wasn't going to be all one way.

The opening goal came shortly after the interval, Matty Vigor finishing from 12 yards in off the underside of the bar. Shomotun then smashed the ball against the post and out, not long after Ashford equalised in the 64th minute. Jefferson Aibangbee a good finish, cutting inside and firing into the bottom corner across the keeper from inside the box. Three minutes later and Ashford took the lead Aibangbee finding experienced striker Gary Lockyer with a long pass from out wide and a cracking finish from Lockyer into the roof of the net giving Valley keeper Smith no chance.

A dramatic finale then ensued with Valley worthy winners on the night but a close run thing.

Ashford United: Podger-King, Wincott, Ellul, Fletcher, Bodkin, Duprey (Hughes 54), Eurotor (Fagg 69), Lockyer (c), Aibangbee (Dodgson 70), Sophie-Turner, McCarthy (Bowman 83)
Cautions: Wincott, Fletcher

Millers: Smith, Gayle, Ekpiteta, Kpakpe (Benedict 78), Williams (c) (Barrington 42), Shomotun, Cumberbatch (Black 70), Vigor (Jeffrey 78), Aileru, Holness (Ajakaiye 61), Akbani
Caution: Vigor

Referee: Harrison Clark
Assistants: Thomas Reed and Freddie Waldron

Video: Theo Jeffrey with the equaliser on his first team debut
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/theo-jeffrey-scoring-on-his-first-team-debut-213461.html

Match Action: Valley debutant keeper Dan Smith punches clear