PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
DULWICH HAMLET 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 4 - 21 DEC 2024 - ATT 1,788
Goals: DH - Wanadio 7, Binnom-Williams 45
CV - Coombes 15, 33, Black 21, Vigor 81

Match Report including extracts courtesy of Nick Wright for the NLP

Adam Coombes struck twice in an entertaining game in front of 1,788 fans at Champion Hill, ended in favour of high-flying Cray Valley, moving them into second place. Five of the six goals came in an explosive opening 45 minutes and with just seven minutes on the clock, it was actually the home side who took the lead. Jerome Binnom-Williams cleared a Valley corner and found Anthony Jeffrey. The speedy winger was inside his own half but spun his marker and turned on the afterburners. He drove into the area before crossing for Luke Wanadio, who side footed home to take his tally for the season to 16.

The lead would only last for seven minutes. Dan Bowry drove forward from centre-back and nutmegged a Hamlet defender to find Coombes, who took one touch before firing in. Valley were now on top and in the 21st minute, a back post corner lead to the away side taking the lead, Sonny Black getting the credit despite suspicion of an own goal. In the 33rd minute Coombes was at the double to double Valley's lead powerfully heading home an Andre Coker cross.

Then, as the first half ticked into injury time, Binnon-Williams scored, firing home a 20 yard free-kick low into the bottom right hand corner to halve the deficit. Elliott McKImm replaced Clement Asiedu who took a knock and nearly got on the scoresheet with a 40 yard cross cum shot which the keeper did well to turn over the bar. It took until the 81st minute for Valley to put the result beyond doubt through Matt Vigor. Substitute Denzel Gayle finding Vigor with the pass, who finished well low into the far corner. Hamlet went close to pulling a goal back in added time but somehow the ball stayed out as the Valley defenders and keeper Max Ovenden blocked a series of shots from close in.

In a highly entertaining game despite the tricky windy conditions it was somewhat baffling to see the caution count hit double figures, eight of which were for the visitors. It will mean a fine for Valley which isn’t good but they will be pleased with the three points and the performance.

Star Man: Adam Coombes - Cray Valley (PM)

Hamlet: Barnes, Ramsay (Ibrahiym 65), Hudson, Wynter, Chambers, Wanadio, Jeffrey, Krasniqi (Robe 52), Hand, Binnom-Williams (c). Lynch (Mills 53) Subs not used: Marshall, Hansson
Cautions: Ibrahiym, Hand

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Oshilaja (c), Bowry, Asiedu (McKimm 66), Coker (Gayle 73), Black, Waldren, Vigor (Anau 84), Shomotun, Coombes (Barrington 73) Subs not used: None
Cautions: Asiedu, Vigor, Oshilaja, Black, Williams, Gayle, Waldren, McKimm E

Referee: Dario Matthewson
Assistants: Richard Marus and Liam Giles

Post Match Interview: Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-very-happy-with-the-42-win-against-dulwich-hamlet-fc-211224-207186.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/dulwich-hamlet-v-millers-211224-pay-1125807.html