PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
BROADBRIDGE HEATH 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 - 30 MAR 2024 - ATT 170
GOALS BH - Terry 2, Chesworth 62
CV - Williams 30, Lee 30, Lisbie 39

The Millers had to ride out a late onslaught but ride it out they did to maintain their 100% league away win record this season as they extended their run to sixteen games.

The Bears took the lead in only the second minute, Sean Terry stooping low to head home the corner from the edge of the six yard box. On the quarter hour Kyrell Lisbie had the Millers first shot on target which was comfortably saved by the Bears debutant keeper George Clark Evans. Shortly after defender Barney Williams made a timely block as the Bears threatened.

However it was Williams at the other end of the field that made an even bigger contribution when in the 20th minute he produced an absolute cracker, volleying first time on the run a headed clearance into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance, for the equaliser.

Goal of the Season? A Barney Scorcher! see video link:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/goal-of-the-season-a-barney-scorcher-200155.html

Sonny Black then went close with a low long range effort, the keeper pushing the ball away diving low to his right. Half an hour gone and the Millers took the lead, Arthur Lee heading home direct from the corner from the edge of the six yard box.

The Millers were now in the ascendency and after Michael Ademiluyi had pulled the ball back from the byline, it found its way to Freddie Parker whose powerful shot was blocked. In the 39th minute the Millers increased their lead, Danny Waldren's shot was pushed out by the keeper and Lisbie was on hand to take advantage and tap home the rebound. Just before the interval Parker latched onto a loose ball but his shot went just past the post. The Millers led 3-1 at half time.

Second half and ten minutes in, Millers keeper Max Ovenden produced an excellent save, stopping an effort on goal from the Bears Mason Doughty. Just after the hour mark the Bears scored a second, Jamie Chesworth with a wonder strike direct from the free kick, 25 yards out, which flew into the top corner giving Ovenden no chance.

With eight minutes of normal time left, the Millers had the chance to make the game safe. Substitute Hassan Ibrahiym who had replaced Kiki Oshilaja was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded. Ibrahiym himself stepped up to take it but his shot with the keeper going the right way was saved diving low to his left.

In a tense final ten minutes or so the Millers were forced to dig deep to see out the game. Although substitute Marcel Barrington went close to adding a fourth, his well hit shot going just over the bar, the Millers needed to be alert to prevent an equaliser. In added time the Bears Chesworth almost repeated his earlier wonder strike from another centrally placed free kick, some 30 yards out but this time Ovenden got a vital touch deflecting the ball onto the post and then blocked the follow up before Clement Asiedu cleared away for a corner.

Max Ovenden's added time save, see video link:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/broadbridge-heath-v-millers-30324--max-ovenden-save-late-on-200152.html

This ensured the Millers took all three points to return to the top of the table, one point clear of Ramsgate, with both teams having six to play. The Millers travel to play the Rams on the 13th April.

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Oshilaja (Ibrahiym 56), Lee (c), Asiedu, Ademiluyi, Black, Waldren, Vigor, Lisbie (Ekpiteta 88), Parker (Barrington 86) Subs not used: Coombes, Della-Verde
Cautions: Oshilaja, Lisbie, Ovenden

Bears: Clark Evans, Sim, Chesworth, Penfold, Bromage, Terry, Lemon, Buchanan (Todd 62), Aubrey (Berry 63), Parmiter (Mutongerwa 72), Doughty Subs not used: Evans, Lindsey
Cautions: None (1 bench)

Referee: Lawrence Torz-Brown
Assistants: Belin Demirov and Joe Alborough

Match Highlights:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/highlights--millers-win-32-away-at-broadbridge-heath-fc-30324-200170.html

Post Match Interview with Millers Manager Steve McKimm:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-reflects-on-the-32-victory-away-to-broadbridge-heath-fc-30324-200163.html

Match Photos: Inspire Socials:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/broadbridge-heath-v-millers-30324-photos-inspire-socials-1097949.html