PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WHITEHAWK 3 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 - 16 AUGUST 2025 - ATT 271
Goals: W - Nandhra 23, Lambert 57, Bridle 85
CV - Own Goal 53, Vigor 56

An entertaining game full of chances at both ends from start to finish finally saw The Hawks take the three points with a winner five minutes from time. The Millers will feel they deserved something from the game but instead are left to rue missed chances and costly defensive errors.

The opening twenty minutes set the tone, The Hawks missing a good chance, hitting the side netting in the opening minute, Kenny Aileru a real threat early on went close at the near post followed shortly after by Jerry Puemo striking an upright with a downward header from a Tom Beere corner. Shaun Peart-Rowley in the Valley goal was forced to make a double save, first saving from Florian Kastrati then blocking the rebound from Harry Bridle. Valley then twice went close but were unable to force the ball over the line, Luke Holness and Marcel Barrington involved. At the other end a back pass left short presented Bridle a good opportunity but his shot went the wrong side of the post.

The opening goal went the way of the Hawks in the 23rd minute Josh Nandhra taking advantage to fire home inside the box after the Valley keeper could only deflect a high bouncing ball direct into his path. The first half ended like the opening period with chances not taken at either end.

After the break Barrington struck the crossbar with a header from Beere's cross. In the 53rd minute Valley enjoyed a piece of good fortune, Barrington's whipped in cross being sliced into his own net by Nathan Cooper. Three minutes later and Valley took the lead, Matty Vigor turning in the box and acrobatically firing home past the keeper.

The lead lasted less than two minutes with Charlie Lambert heading home from close range to restore parity to the scoreline. Chances abated for a while until five minutes from time when Bridle latched on to a loose ball just outside the box and drove a shot low and hard into the keeper's right hand corner. Harsh on Valley who have now lost all three of their opening league games.

Next up - home to Ramsgate on Saturday followed by the short trip to Welling United on Bank Holiday Monday, both a 3pm kick off.

Millers: Peart- Rowley, Cumberbatch, Tumkaya, Moralee, Puemo, Aileru, Beere (c), Vigor (Moore 66), Holness (Shomotun 72), Ajakaiye (Akanbi 81), Barrington Sub not used: Gayle
Cautions: Cumberbatch, Puemo

Hawks: Shattell, Wright, Borg, Kastrati, Cooper, Odogwu-Atkinson, Nandhra, Daly, O'Toole (c), Bridle, Lambert Subs: Meers, Rogers, Waldock, Harris, Quaye
Cautions: Daly,

Referee: Chris Williams
Assistants: Wayne Pocock and Gareth Davis

Post Match Interview: Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/managers-reaction--steve-mckimm-after-todays-32-defeat-at-whitehawk--212685.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/whitehawk-v-millers-16825-photos-inspire-socials-1147169.html