Coombes Strikes in the Nick of Time

COOMBES STRIKES IN THE NICK OF TIME

PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV

CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 WHITEHAWK 2 - 27th Aug 2022 - ATT 120
Goals: CV - Adeyemo 18, Coombes 90+4
W - Warwick 42, Splatt 55

By Richard J Green

Adam Coombes’ 95th minute left foot volley flashed past Hawks’ keeper Luke Glover to give Valley a share of the spoils in this Bank Holiday cracker at the Artic Stadium.
Whitehawk started proceedings very much on the front foot – Charlie Lambert striking Chris Lewington’s upright in only the second minute after capitilising on a slip by Cem Tumkaya, before firing narrowly wide ten minutes later.
But it was Valley who struck first.
Connor Dymond’s long pass forward was controlled and fired low past Luke Glover by Ade Adeyemo in the 18th minute.
The hosts went on to enjoy the bulk of the play as Dan Bennett’s 20 yard effort curled narrowly over, before he turned and fired a fierce shot from the edge of the area which was met by a fine save from Glover.
The Hawks however struck back five minutes before the break as – with the stricken Bennett in pain and seeking treatment after a collision - Ryan Warwick equalised with a superb strike from the right side of the 18 yard box which beat Lewington and flew into the far corner.
Shortly after the break, excellent interplay between Denzel Gayle and Coombes on the edge of the 18 yard box saw the former’s close range effort pushed for a corner by Glover as Valley threatened.
It was shortly after this however that Hawks took the lead.
As a long throw into the Valey box was flicked on, Javaun Splatt rose highest to head home at the far post.
The lead was almost extended 15 minutes from time after a long clearance from Glover was headed narrowly wide of his own post by the retreating Dymond. From the resultant corner, Harris’ flag kick was forcefully met by Will Miles, whose header forced Lewington into an excellent close range save.
And so back to the other end in this entertaining tussle.
Tom Chambers and Hassan Ibrahiym combined well before superb hold up play by Coombes found Bennett whose shot produced a magnificent stop from Glover.
With the visiting defence looking increasingly secure however, it appeared the points were heading to Sussex until Coombes had the final word.

MATCH RATING: - *****

MAN OF THE MATCH – DAN BENNETT

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond ©, Chambers, Tumkaya, Gayle, Black, Coombes, Samuels, Douglas, Bennett, Adeyemo (Ibrahiym 54)
Substitutes Not Used : Oshilaja, Davis-Whitlock
Cautions : Dymond, Douglas, Bennett

HAWKS : Glover, Morrison, Daly, Shelley, Cooper, Miles, Warwick, Harris, Splatt, O’Toole (Smith 69), Lambert (Wright 57)
Substitutes Not used: Blackmore, Marku, Reeder
Caution : Warwick, Splatt

Referee : Daniel Baines
Assistants : Jacob Miller and Joshua Howard

Photo courtesy of Frank May - Alan Coombes fires home the winner in added time.
More photos available on our Facebook page, see link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3562421573892000&type=3

Link for match report by Isaac Gleave courtesy of the official website of Whitehawk FC
https://whitehawkfc.com/report-cray-valley-pm-2-2-whitehawk/

Link for match report and photos courtesy of Dmitri Old
https://t.co/ZtVcJcAfc2