The Millers secured a hard-fought point at the Artic Stadium with a late equaliser against a resilient Canvey side albeit still rooted to the bottom of the league. Midfielder Sonny Black was on hand to convert from close range in the 85th minute, finishing a well-worked move initiated by Dan Ajakaiye’s precise cross from the left.

Following on from their impressive midweek victory over league leaders Brentwood Town , the visitors began the match full of confidence and deservedly took the lead in the 24th minute. After Valley gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch, from the breakaway, forward Lemi Remi found space on the edge of the box and unchallenged fired a low shot past stand in keeper Max Ovenden to give Canvey the advantage.

Valley manager Steve McKimm responded to a lacklustre first-half performance by making three changes at the break, which injected urgency into his side. Driven by veteran midfielder Danny Waldren, the hosts began to dominate proceedings, creating several chances and putting sustained pressure on George Barrett’s goal. Despite Valley’s dominance of possession, Canvey nearly doubled their lead when Max Fiddes’ header struck the crossbar and bounced to safety. The second half was largely one-way traffic, with Valley pressing relentlessly but struggling to convert their opportunities, with Canvey defending well and more than once getting a timely block on a goal bound shot. Valley’s persistence finally paid off when Ajakaiye beat his marker on the left flank and delivered a pinpoint ball across the face of goal, allowing Black to slot home the equaliser.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Danny Waldren (Cray Valley (PM)

Millers: Ovenden, Williams (c), Puemo (Kpakpe 46), Ekpiteta (Aileru 46), Lema, Shomotun (Cumberbatch 46), Black, Waldren, Vigor (Holness 65), Ajakaiye, Barrington (Akbani 61)
Cautions: Puemo, Williams, Lema

Gulls: Barrett, Halsey, Reeve, Johnson, Nesbitt, Dariri, Yeboah, Ronto (c), Newsom, Fiddes (Dorrell 69), Remi (Jags 74) Subs not used: Greene, Stimson, Skarna
Caution: Halsey

Referee: Callum Parke
Assistants: Ronnie Mcgibbon and Mungo Prior

Post Match Interview: Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/postmatch-reaction-steve-mckimm-on-cray-valleys-11-draw-with-canvey-island-181025-214644.html

Additional Guest Match Report courtesy of Preston Willott - Cray Valley (PM) Supporter

The Preston Perspective
"Can they, can't they ? No .... Canvey Can't Hold on !"
Cray Valley PM 1 - 1 Canvey Island
Isthmian Premier
This was a 90 minutes of football that demonstrated exactly why the 2 teams occupy their respective positions in the league table thus far. For all their resolute and determined defending , the visitors from Essex showed exactly why they're currently bottom of the table as they failed to capitalise on several gilt edged chances to extend their lead when they had their noses in front. Meanwhile the Millers are still very much a work in progress as the newer players bed in and try to build confidence and understanding as we aspire to push up from the lower reaches of the middle order of the current Isthmian Premier league table
In fairness, I felt the Millers started the brighter of the 2 teams and certainly shaded the opening quarter of an hour in terms of possession and play even if we didn't test their 'keeper too much. However a calamitous piece of play from ourselves on 25 minutes allowed the visitors a free run at goal and it was 0-1
Another sloppy ball from defence some 10 minutes later and it should have been 0 -2 ...... but in a division as tough,competitive and at times ruthless as the Isthmian Premier , the failure to convert chances such as that probably explain why the Islanders are currently struggling at the foot of the table
Shortly before half-time we finally made their keeper do some work as he was called into action and he made a good save as he came off his line to reduce the angles and prevent an equaliser
Manager Steve Mckimm rang the changes at half-time and for much of the second half we were continually upfield applying lots of huff and puff without really again testing the 'keeper. Much as I felt at times we were a little shot shy when in possession, something i'm sure will improve as confidence grows, it must also be stated that Canvey , managed by former Leicester City and Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor, were defending valiantly and bravely with lads getting crucial blocks in at the right time
Into the last quarter of an hour and I felt we upped the urgency a little, and I started to believe that maybe we could get something from the game, and with 5 minutes to go a great cross into the box from the left was met by a runner in the shape of Sonny Black and we gleefully got back on level terms.
Immediately I saw another reason why Canvey are currently struggling ; their heads dropped. They didn't believe any more ; and with that mentality on the pitch, they will struggle all season. With 5 minutes to go plus added time, there was still so much to play for. Meanwhile the Millers pushed and probed for that winning goal, but it wasn't to be and it ended a point apiece
The Millers will take heart from that second half performance and a point salvaged as we continue the rebuild and the Gaffer is hoping to bring a few fresh faces in shortly to increase competition for places in the starting 11
As for Canvey Island, much as we all know that league tables are never settled in October, they are in a precarious state. I hope they can improve ( except when we visit them !! ) as they are for me a name of some pedigree in non-league with a great ground and facilities so I wish them well.
Onwards and Upwards for the Green Army !!
ISMWT

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-canvey-island-181025-photos-inspire-socials-1155434.html