Christmas arrived early for Whitehawk at the Arctic Stadium, as the hosts gifted them two goals within the opening 18 minutes. Midfielders Joel Daly and Charlie Harris struck early to stun the Millers, who never recovered from the setback.

Daly opened the scoring in the 8th minute. A free kick was headed back across the box, where the home defence stood static, allowing Daly to step forward unchallenged and calmly slot past advancing goalkeeper Shaun Pearl-Rowley from eight yards out.

Whitehawk doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when Harris found himself completely unmarked in middle of the park. Showing great composure, he unleashed a long-range effort as the ball sat up nicely for him, that deceived Pearl-Rowley, struck the upright before crossing the line.

The lively Hugo Odigwu-Atkinson came close to making it three but dragged his shot wide, while Harry Lodovico squandered another clear chance when, clean through on goal, he fired straight at the keeper. Valley rallied just before and after the break and were unfortunate not to pull one back. Towards the end of the first half Rowan Liburd forced the Hawks keeper Francis Hurl into making a good save and after the interval Liam Moore went close twice in quick succession the second of which saw his cleanly struck volley go just over the cross bar. Matty Vigor also went close, having a shot blocked, after coming on as a substitute.

Winger Fumni Shomotun was a constant threat down the left flank, delivering several dangerous crosses, but his teammates failed to convert any of them. A Millers win would have seen them leapfrog Whitehawk in the table but instead the victors advanced to 10th whilst the hosts remain 15th.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Hugo Odigwu-Atkinson (Whitehawk)

Millers: Peart-Rowley, Harvey (Adebiyi 67), Tumkaya (Waldren 83), Ekpiteta, Bowry, Shomotun, Beere (c) (Vigor 64), Cumberbatch (Akanbi 75), Moore, Ajakaiye (Gayle 63), Liburd
Caution: Ekpiteta

Hawks: Hurl, Wright, Odogwu-Atkinson, Briggs (c) Cooper, Hall, Skandari, Daly (O'Toole 76), Lodovica (Bridle 88), Harris, Lambert (Ojo 70), Suns not Used: Lastrati, Overy
Cautions: Lambert, Wright

Referee: Callum Peter
Assistants: William Prior and Matthew Leaning

Post Match Interview: Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/steve-mckimm-postmatch-interview--cray-valley-pm-02-whitehawk-201225-216290.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials and Callum Higgins
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-whitehawk-201225-photos-inspire-socials-1161962.html