PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
PHOENIX SPORTS 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 7 - 28 AUG 2023 - ATT 135
Goals: PS - Goodyear-Thompson 69, 80
CV - Grant 16, 63 Ademiluyi 39, Vigor 44, Della-Verde 55, Lisbie 61, Parker 67

The Millers celebrated the August Bank Holiday by scoring seven against Phoenix Sports today at the newly named Christopher Russell Stadium this afternoon. A couple of late strikes from Isaac Thompson, both fired into the same top corner, gave some cheer for the Sports but overall it was a tough afternoon for them as the Millers ran out comprehensive winners. You have to go back to November 2018 in the SCEFL Premier to find the last time the Millers scored seven in a competitive match, winning 9-1 at Rusthall having won 7-1 a month earlier at home to Hollands & Blair. That season turned out to be something special so maybe, just maybe...

It could have started very differently when in the ninth minute Thompson found himself through on goal but an outstretched leg from Millers keeper Sam Freeman proved vital as the shot was saved. Not long after, the Millers opened the scoring direct from a Lyle Della-Verde corner kick, Jensen Grant powering home a header from just inside the six yard box. Six minutes before half time Michael Ademiluyi doubled the lead finding the back of the net after initial efforts from Kylell Lisbie and Matt Vigor had been thwarted. Vigor then made it three, his header cannoned down off the underside of the cross bar and the assistant confirmed the ball had crossed the line despite Phoenix protests.

Ten minutes after the re-start Lisbie did well, utilising his pace on the left flank to take him clear of the defender and at the bi line pulled the ball back into the path of Della-Verde who found the roof of the net with a controlled finish. Six minutes later it was 5-0 as Della-Verde returned the assist, playing in Lisbie who finished with aplomb into the bottom corner of the goal giving the Sports young keeper Liam Northwood no chance.

Reporters iPhone snapshot: Kyrell Lisbie makes the telling pass for the fourth goal

Two further goals quickly followed, on 63 minutes Grant scoring his second, a replica of the first, as he headed home Della-Verde's corner. Then in the 67th minute Freddie Parker scored the seventh from close in.

After the Sports pulled a goal back, Sonny Black thought he had made it eight but was correctly ruled offside by the Assistant. On 75 minutes Della-Verde suffered a knee injury and was unable to continue after being helped from the pitch. Having already made their three substitutions the Millers were forced to play out the remainder of the game with ten men. Sports pulled a second goal back and Freeman then made an excellent save, tipping the ball over the bar before the final whistle blew with the game ending 2-7.

Reporters iPhone snapshot: Sonny Black (hidden) pokes the ball home but is offside

Contrasting post match comments from the two managers as you might expect after such a result, Millers Steve McKimm was delighted with the performance and full of praise for his team. The ever honest Steve Boyle obviously less so as he acknowledged it had been a bad week and that "the bottom line is 7-2 is nowhere near good enough".

Both sides have a break now from the league for a couple of weeks, the Millers are in FA Cup action against Uxbridge on Sunday, the game being played at Slough Town FC . The Saturday after they travel to Broadbridge Heath in the FA Trophy. The Sports play a friendly against a Gillingham XI on Friday and then are at home to Met Police in the FA Trophy on Saturday week.

Millers: Freeman, Chambers (Asiedu 57), Lee, Oshilaja, Black, Parker (Anau 73), Ademiluyi, Grant, Vigor, Lisbie (Coombes 65), Della-Verde Subs not used: Wicks, Ibrahiym

Sports: Northwood, Douglas, Dalton, Clark (King 57), Hayes (O'Connor 65), Bird, Goodyear-Thompson, Bourne, Sarong, Mills (Day 65), Evans Subs not used: Cormack, Philip

#COYM

Photos: Courtesy of Romana at Inspire Socials, https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/phoenix-sports-v-millers-28823-photos-inspire-socials-1071616.html
Main Pic: Jensen Grant heads home his second and the Millers sixth goal.

Video: Match Highlights
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/highlights--cray-valley-give-a-dominant-away-performance-against-phoenix-sports-in-a-72-victory-28823-192654.html

Post Match Interview: Millers Manager Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-praises-the-millers-after-todays-72-victory-against-phoenix-sports-192574.html