A 63rd minute wonder strike from Matty Vigor was enough to give the Millers victory against the Moatsiders, their tenth in ten league games on the road this season. It was also their eighth consecutive away clean sheet.

Valley started brightly and very nearly took an early lead after Denzel Gayle's low cross got stuck under Adam Coombes foot as he was surrounded by defenders in the six yard box, the ball broke and Lyle Della Verde smashed the ball high against the post from close range. Valley were very much in the ascendancy causing problems on the flanks throughout the first half but just lacked that clinical finish or final ball. Moatsiders keeper Endurance Johnson tipped over a well struck effort from Calvin Ekpiteta and at the other end Max Ovenden was rarely troubled, racing out of goal to boot clear his only real intervention.

Second half and both keepers made early saves with Johnson the busier, an early save from a Coombes header was followed by an even better one diving to his right, this time from a Danny Waldren header which had looked destined for the back of the net. Barney Williams the provider of the cross on both occasions. The Moatsiders were defending with real conviction but neither they nor the keeper could do anything to stop Matty Vigor's wonder strike from just outside the edge of the box out wide to fire into the far top corner.

Wonder Strike: See link
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/millers-wonder-strike-198297.html

Vigor came close to adding his second in the 78th minute his shot saved by Johnson on this occasion. Ekpiteta thought he had added a second five minutes from normal time finding the back of the net from the rebound after Johnson had made a one handed save diving low to his left. However the assistants flag was raised for offside.

The Moatsiders then fashioned their two best chances of the game as the clock ticked down, a free kick from a dangerous central position just outside the box was saved by Ovenden and more importantly he held on well to the ball to prevent any chance of a rebound. Moments later he saved again with his legs. Valley saw out the five minutes of added time and secured their tenth consecutive league away win.

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Oshilaja, Lee (c), Chambers, Gayle, Waldren, Vigor (Ibrahiym 80), Ekpiteta, Della-Verde (Black 68), Coombes (Parker 78) Subs not used: Ademiluyi, Barrington
Cautions: None

Moatsiders: Johnson, Khinda, Molloy, Allen, Ogundega (Corbin 70), Pointing, Gunner, Lewis, Greenwood, Collins (Henry 71), Lewis (Oram 84) Subs not used: Senior, Lamont
Cautions: None

Referee: Oliver Kaya
Assistants: Matthew Barrett & Joshua Reid

Match Highlights courtesy of Mertsham FC
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/merstham-01-cray-valley-pm--match-highlights--3rd-february-2024-198442.html

Post Match Interview with Millers Manager Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimms-gives-his-thoughts-on-the-millers-10-win-at-merstham-fc-3224-198272.html

Post Match Interview with Millers Goalkeeper Max Ovenden
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--max-ovenden-talks-about-the-millers-10-victory-away-to-merstham-fc-3224-198447.html

Match Photos: Courtesy Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/mertsham-v-millers-3224-photos-inspire-socials-1091131.html