In the words of manager Tommy Osborne in his post match interview he felt they huffed and puffed a little in the first half without creating enough. Certainly the Golds defended well, seeming to always be in the right position to cut out the crosses and block any shots. Denzel Gayle, Daniel Bennett and Barney Williams were particularly prominant early on in attack combining well down the right flank.

Second half and it was very much Cray on the front foot in search of the opening goal. Adeyemo displayed some wonderful skills, one move just after the re-start saw him nutmeg the defender, turn another one inside out in the penalty area before his cross found the head of Coombes whose powerful effort produced a fine save from the Golds keeper James Askew. In the 68th minute Gayle was clipped in the area by the defender but stayed on his feet to complete his low cross to Bennett whose shot deflected just past the post.

Cray suffered a set back in the 76th minute when Julien Anau who had a good game in only his second full league start received a red card for his second booking. However even down to ten it was the visitors that looked more likely to score as they continued to play some excellent passing football and push forward. Adeyemo had a good chance in front of goal but he got under the ball and could only loft it high and down into the keepers arms.

With the clock ticking down a misplaced pass out of defence by Mitchell Nelson gave possession to the Golds who took full advantage and the ball found its way to Josh Short who finished low into the far corner. With 7 minutes of added time to play there was still time for another bit of Adeyemo magic and his power drive looked destined for the top corner but the Golds keeper Askew again produced a fine save to prevent the equaliser.

It finished 1-0 to the home side and whilst a tad harsh on Cray whose overall performance was considered good, with a number of home supporters commenting on twitter "best footballing side seen this season" nevertheless it is goals that win matches. The Golds defended well for long periods and took advantage snatching the winner at the end. A case of "Smash and Grab" indeed.

CRAY MAN OF THE MATCH – ADE ADEYEMO

GOLDS: Binfield, Faber, Heath, Herbert (Layton 69), Clark, Hendy, Pattenden (Rohilla 69), Kirkwood, Gaskin, Fender (Donaldson 83), Short
Substitutions Not Used: Ball, Askew

MILLERS : Lewington, Chambers, Williams, Tumkaya, Gayle ©, Black, Coombes, Nelson, Bennett D (Majek 86), Anau, Adeyemo
Substitutes Not Used : Medhurst, Bennett J. Samuels
Cautions : Anau sent off (two yellow cards), Black, Bennett

Referee: Jacob Wright
Assistants: Ethan Grainger and Jordan Mcritchie

Match Photos: Suman Birta
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/littlehampton-town-v-millers-28123-photos-suman-birta-1047806.html

Manager Tommy Osborne gives his post match views:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/tommys-viewpoint-186510.html