EMIRATES FA CUP - SECOND ROUND QUALIFYING
CHERTSEY TOWN 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 - 13 SEP 2025 - ATT 434
Goals: CT - Mazzone 22, Green 32
CV - Barrington 17, Holness 50, Akanbi 70

VALLEY COME OUT ON TOP IN ROLLER COASTER RIDE AT CHERTSEY

Roller coaster at Thorpe Park overlooking Chertsey FC - Photo courtesy Tom Stanworth

Against the backdrop of Thorpe Park behind the Alwyns Lane End it was fitting that Valley provided a roller coaster ride as they progressed through to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup. After taking the lead, they found themselves 2-1 down at the interval before running out 3-2 winners with two second half goals.

It was the first competitive meeting since the two sides lined up at Wembley for the 2019 FA Vase Final, the Curfews of course coming out on top that day. Six years on only two players remained from either side, both for Valley, with Denzel Gayle starting and recovering from injury Cem Tumkaya taking a place on the bench.

Valley started in the ascendancy and took a deserved lead in the 17th minute Marcel Barrington picking up the ball in space on the right quickly advanced on goal and his low strike across the Curfews keeper Joel Halliday into the far corner found the back of the net. Five minutes later the Curfews were level Jack Mazzone finding himself unmarked at the far post to tap home the pass across the box from the left wing. Valley went close after Kenny Aileru found Barrington close in but he couldn't get purchase on the shot, from the keepers throw out the ball made it's way down the left and this time it was Jermain Green with a first time finish at the far post to give the hosts the lead on 32 minutes.

Within five minutes after the interval, Valley were level, a Kurtis Cumberbatch long free kick from out wide just inside the half was headed back by Crossley Lema, the ball landing at the feet of Luke Holness with his back to goal, he turned a fired low into the bottom corner from 12 yards. Why proved to be the winner came in the 70th minute, Shaun Rowley the Valley keeper did well holding on to a low shot under pressure from an oncoming attacker, punted the ball down the middle and Ibby Akbani raced through from the half way line, keeping ahead of the defender and slotting low past the keeper to restore the visitors lead.

The Curfews went in search of an equaliser in the final twenty minutes or so but Valley defended well, dug in and held them at bay to see out the game and ensure they are in the hat for Monday's draw.

Curfews: Halliday, Harrison, Casey (c) (Gallagher 88), Lodge, Mazzone, Downey (Ridgley 76), Hector (Montague 60), Green, McCoy, Berry (Abisogun 77), Fernandez Subs not used: Harland-Goddard, Little, Glennon
Cautions: Hector, Green

Millers: Peart-Rowley, Gayle, Ekpiteta, Lema, Kpakpe, Ajakaiye (Shomotun 75), Beere (Holness 40), Cumberbatch, Vigor (Black 80) Aileru, Barrington (Akanbi 67) Subs not used: Williams, Tumkaya, Smith
Cautions: Kpakpe, Aileru, Cumberbatch

Referee: Colman O'Meara
Assistants: Tom Flanagan and Oliver Keil
Fourth Official: Thomas Frost

Post Match Interview: Steve Mckimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/steve-mckimm-reacts-to-cray-valleys-dramatic-32-fa-cup-win-vs-chertsey-town--postmatch-interview-13925-213522.html

Roller Coaster Photo: Courtesy of Tom Stanworth

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/fa-cup-chertsey-town-v-millers-13925-photos-inspire-socials-1150768.html