Not too many chances created at either end in the opening half an hour although Valley did have the ball in the back of the net from a Tom Chambers corner in the 12th minute only to be ruled out, presumably for a foul on Sheppey keeper Aidan Prall. Danny Waldren dragged a shot wide on 25 minutes the only other real effort on goal.

Things improved after that with Prall called into action producing good saves to deny first Chambers and then Michael Ademiluyi. Just before the interval Sheppey went close with Barney Williams heading off the line onto the cross bar and Valley keeper Max Ovenden tipping over a James Bessey-Saldanha shot from distance.

Just 12 seconds and 5 touches into the second half Valley took the lead. From the kick off the ball was passed back to Arthur Lee whose long ball forward was headed on by Freddie Parker into the path of Denzel Gayle running into the box and his pass found Sonny Black who shot first time deflecting off the keepers outstretched leg and into the back of the net.

See link to X for the opening goal courtesy of RYG Sports Filming:
https://x.com/rygsportsfilm/status/1769087972442325417?s=20

In the 68th minute Ademiluyi got a touch to take the ball past Prall and from out wide he found Black with the pass whose shot crashed against the cross bar. Six minutes later Black did score both his and Valley's second goal, a wonderful turn in the box to fire low into the far corner after Arthur Lee had won the header. Valley then saw the game out for a comfortable win with Sheppey rarely troubling the Valley goal in the second half.

Ites: Prall, Ganiwa, Del Morgan (Durowoju 89), Majoyegbe, Wilkins (c), Bradshaw, Bessey-Saldanha (Dos Santos 70), Lambert, Diallo, Johnson, Taylor Subs not used: Irvine, Clark, Danker Jnr

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Oshilaja, Lee (c), Chambers, Gayle, Black, Waldren, Vigor (Della-Verde 71), Ademiluyi (Lisbie 74), Parker (Barrington 78) Subs not used: Coombes, Ekpiteta

Referee: Richard Joss
Assistants: Krystian Kaczala and Nicholas Bone

Match Highlights courtesy of Sheppey United TV and RYG Sports Filming
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/highlights-sheppey-united-v-cray-valley-pm-199784.html

Post Match Interview with Millers manager Steve McKimm:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-gives-his-views-on-the-20-victory-away-to-sheppey-united-fc-16324-199684.html

Main Photo: Courtesy of Sheppey United Photographer Marc Richards - Barney Williams first half headed clearance off the line

Match Photos courtesy of Inspire Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/sheppey-united-v-millers-16324-photos-inspire-socials-1096059.html
NB: Apologies due to technical problems only a small number of photos available for today's game.