A solitary own goal proved decisive as Berkhamsted bowed out of the Trophy following a 1–0 defeat to Valley at a blustery Artic Stadium. The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when under no pressure, number 4 Charlie Barker played a routine pass back to goalkeeper Charlie Horlock, who misjudged the ball as it rolled under his foot and slowly into the net despite his desperate attempt to recover.

Prior to that the best chance of the game had fallen to the visitors Michael Harding in the 20th minute who was thwarted by the outstretched leg of Valley keeper Shaun Peart-Rowley to save his effort as he went through on goal. After taking the lead Valley enjoyed a good spell and nearly doubled their lead before the interval. First Fumnaya Shomotun went on a run only to see his shot blocked and away for a corner from which Barney Williams struck the top of the crossbar. Danny Waldren on his return to Valley then saw his well hit drive from distance go just over and the hosts went into half-time with a slender advantage.

The Comrades pushed for an equaliser after the break but despite applying pressure they were again denied by Valley’s goalkeeper Pearl-Rowley, his standout save being a low diving stop to turn away a long-range effort from substitute Brandon Harriman-Annous. Ibby Akbani had a chance to put the result beyond doubt eight minutes from time but he blasted over from close in. Thereafter the Comrades saw a couple of efforts wiz past the post but Valley held on to earn a place in the next round.

Millers: Peart-Rowley, Williams (c), Tumkaya (Kpakpe 21, Puemo 46) , Ekpiteta, Lema, Shomotun (Barrington 60), Black, Waldren (Cumberbatch 76), Vigor (Holness 66), Ajakaiye, Albani
Cautions: Kpakpe, Ajakaiye, Rowley

Comrades: Horlock, Rosner (Harriman-Annous 46), Kyei, Barker (Watkins 64), Gurteen, Hyde, Busari, Andrews, Wadkins (Mitchell 82), Lacey (c), Harding, Sub not used: Johnson

Man of the Match: Dan Ajakaiye nominated and presented here by Arron Bell Cray Valley (PM) U17 Manager

Link to the goal on X https://x.com/CrayValleyPM/status/1974815306091512254

Link to the goal on Facebook https://x.com/CrayValleyPM/status/1974815306091512254

Post match interview: Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/steve-mckimm-reacts-to-cray-valleys-10-fa-trophy-win-over-berkhamsted-41025-214234.html

Guest match report courtesy of Cray Valley (PM) supporter Preston Willott

Match Report - 'The Preston Perspective'

"Horlock's Howler!"

FA Trophy
Cray Valley PM 1 - 0 Berkhamstead

I think there is a certain sense of apprehension and angst amongst any match going supporter attending any game after a 5-0 hammering on the lines of "how will the team respond?"

I guess if there is a good time to cop such a result it is during a busy schedule ; we all know players are hungry to get back out on that pitch and try to "put things right" as soon as possible , so in this regard it was perhaps fortuitous to be back amongst home comforts at The Artic on a Saturday after Tuesday night's FA cup exit at Tonbridge

This encounter agaiinst Berkhamstead was poised to be an intriguing contest as they were similarly mid table to ourselves except in the parallel Southern League Premier South , where interestingly they have to contemplate away days to places such as Poole and Plymouth !!!

I personally predicted a very tight contest between 2 evenly matched sides, and i think it fair to say all Millers fans were buoyed by the sight off Daniel Waldren back in green to stouten the midfield. My prediction of a tight contest was perhaps only partially correct as we did indeed see a tight contest but in fairness both sides were not only competing against each other, but against the elements as the wind had a very detrimental effect on the game

What turned out to be the deciding moment in the game took place on the 32nd ahem ahem aheeem 34th minute when the Berkhamstead 'keeper Charlie Horlock staked his claim for this year's Peter Enckelmann award as he inexplicably allowed a simple ball back from one of his defenders to slide past his toes and trundle agonisingly/amusingly ( delete as appropriate depending on perspective ) over the line and into the corner of the net

There were chances for Cray Valley PM to increase the advantage before the halftime break , but the closest we got was the crossbar being rattled following a corner

As I bimbled down to the Quaggy End for the second half I reflected that although on the one hand one could be wistful we hadn't managed to get ourselves 2 or maybe 3 up at that point, yet there could be no doubting that the Millers were playing far more precisely and making much better decisions in possession than the previous Tuesday evening, so a very encouraging first 45 minutes

The second half was much the same really ; I felt we shaded the play and the chances , and indeed Ibby Akanbi must have thought there was a forcefield protecting their goal at one point and we seemed in control and managing the game. The only point at which i personally felt a nervous twitch was on the 77th minute when Berkhamstead had a free-kick in a very central and dangerous position, but nothing came of it and the Millers are in the hat for the next round with a morale restoring win in tricky conditions against a good team

ISMWT

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/fa-trophy--millers-v-berkampsted-1153606.html