PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
WELLING UNITED 0 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 - MON 25 AUGUST 2025 - ATT 671
Goals: CV - Akanbi 3, Holness 52, Barrington 89

Match Report courtesy of Mark Doig

Derby honours went to Cray Valley PM who enjoyed a convincing August Bank Holiday Monday Isthmian League Premier Division victory at Welling United. It was the first ever league meeting between the two clubs and the Millers well organised defence gave them the foundation for a second win in three days.

Henry Sinai had a header tipped over by Cray goalkeeper Shaun Rowley when meeting Aaron Williams-Bushell’s free kick in the first minute. However, it was the visitors who went ahead in the third minute. Jerry Puemo knocked on a corner and Ibby Akanbi’s close range effort appeared to hit a divot to help it find its way home.

Akanbi shot wide before Welling’s John Ufuah burst through and fired past Rowley only for his shot to come back out off the post. Then it was the Millers’ turn to hit the woodwork. Denzel Gayle wasn’t picked up at the far post and his first time effort clattered against the bar.

Ruben Shakpoke twice went close, first when firing just beyond the far post from fifteen yards. He then met Ufuah’s knock down from a James Dyer free kick with a first time effort that fizzed inches past the upright. He had an even better opportunity soon after when he was fouled in the penalty area from Dyer’s clipped pass. He took the responsibility but his spot kick came back out off Rowley’s out-struck foot.

Norman turned a twenty yard Akanbi shot round the post in first half stoppage time and Luke Holness had the last chance of the half for the Millers. He fired well over after intercepting as the Wings tried to play out from the back.

After the interval Frankie Moralee glanced a Fumnaya Shomotun cross beyond the far post for the visitors before they doubled their lead. Gayle fired in a low cross that Norman could only palm out to Holness and he fired home from close range.

Holness was given another opportunity from more sloppy Welling play at the back but he fired well off target before the hosts’ substitute George Holley shot wide from the edge of the penalty area,

On a quick break Akanbi had a close range shot saved by Norman before another Holley effort flew inches wide after Shakpoke’s original drive had been blocked. Shakpoke again went close after Welling had worked there way through well.

However, the Millers scored a third in the last minute of regulation time when Marcel Barrington combined with Dan Ajakaiye before poking it just inside the post.

Jack Paxman had a shot beaten out by the fists of Rowley in stoppage time before letting fly again only to see it clip the bar on the way over. Greg Cundle had one final effort that dribbled wide.

Both clubs now have five days to prepare for their respective FA Cup ties with the Millers visiting Ramsgate and Welling travelling to Uxbridge.

Wings: Norman, Majoyegbe, Sinai (Holley 58), Ufuah, Penn (Antonio 66), Cundle, Dobbs, Williams-Bushell, Shakpoke (Simmons85), Dyer, Paxman (c) Subs not used: Huk, O'Neill
Caution: Dobbs

Millers: Rowley, Williams, Lema, Moralee, Puemo, Gayle (Aileru 63), Beere (c) (Vigor 18), Moore (Cumberbatch 11), Holness, Shomotun (Ajakaye 62), Akanbi (Barrington 76)
Caution: Cumberbatch

Referee: Harry Phillips
Assistants: Ayden Gillespie and Alan Steward

Post Match Interview: Steve McKImm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/managers-reaction--steve-mckimm-after-cray-valley-pm-beat-welling-united-30-at-park-view-road-25825-212920.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/welling-united-v-millers-25825-photos-inspire-socials-1148282.html