PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CRAY WANDERERS 5 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 0 - 27 DEC 2025 - ATT 1,254
Goals: CW - Hernandez 14, 53 (pen), Kader 46, Mongoy 62

Wanderers produced an outstanding performance to defeat Valley in the battle of the Crays and they finish 2025 in fifth place in the Isthmian Premier, with the Millers in 16th having suffered their third straight defeat, without a goal in all three.

On a chilly afternoon Wanderers started strongly and on loan Millers keeper Harrison Chamberlain on what might be termed his second debut for the club was called into action early on making two reflex stops from Lateef Ajada and Alex Hernandez. However in the 14th minute Wanderers went ahead when Hernandez’ free-kick from 20 yards gave Chamberlain no chance to save. Tom Bonner hit the crossbar for the Wands and in the 26th minute it was 2-0 when Harry Waldock picked up a loose ball and fired home a lowshot from just outside the area.

The second half started in the same vein and a minute after the break Frankie Morgan’s cross was turned in by Soul Kader from six yards for a third goal for the Wands. In the 53rd minute it was 4-0 when Hernandez scored from the spot after Kader was adjudged to have been brought down by Chamberlain, although the general feeling was this was harsh as he appeared to make good first contact on the ball, pushing it away towards the touchline, with his outstretched hand.

Valley went close when Daniel Ajakaiye saw a shot well saved by Harry Seaden. Wanderers though made it five just after the hour when Jordy Mongoy lobbed the keeper from just outside the area after hesitancy in defence for a goal on his home debut. Valley tried in vain for what at that stage would only have been a consolation goal and went close a couple of times, Marvel Epithet hitting the cross bar after the initial effort from Denzel Gayle has been blocked, the pick. The game ended as it had begun with Chamberlain in action making a couple of good saves including one from Adaja to prevent it being 6 7 (if you know, you know ha ha)

The Millers are next in action in another local derby this time at the Artic Stadium against fellow strugglers Welling United on Saturday 3rd January.

Wanderers: Seaden, O-Gyamera, Morgan (Keto 81), Waldock, Sutton, Bonner (c), Mongoy (Price 65), Raymond (Taylor 87), Hernandez (Hand 76), Kader (Dickson 81), Adana
Cautions: None

Millers: Chamberlain, Harvey, Tumkaya, Ekpiteta, Bowry, Shomotun (Adebiyi 54), Beere (c), Cumberbatch (Gayle 53), Moore (Waldren 72), Ajakaiye (Barrington 72), Liburd (Akanbi 83)
Caution: Moore, Tumkaya

Referee: Joe Wright
Assistants: Gavin Farrington and Jack Smith

Post Match Interview: Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/steve-mckimm-reacts-to-the-derby-loss-against-cray-wanderers-271225-216418.html

Guest Match Report from Preston Willott - Cray Valley (PM) supporter
The Preston Perspective
Wanderers Wallop Meek Millers in "El Craysico"

This result of this festive derby displayed that the hosts are very clearly in contention for a promotion play-off berth whereas their visitors from SE9 are most definitely not
The Wanderers are in their second season at Flamingo Park , nestled into the side of the A20 Sidcup Bypass with a fairly old club house that has the air of a former cricket pavillion contrasting with the modern all seater stand along one side of the pitch and the synthetic playing surface
It took only 15 minutes for the hosts to convert early dominance on the pitch into concrete advantage as a superbly taken free-kick found the back of the net, and shortly afterwards a shot seemed to squirm through the 'keepers hands for 2-0 and we sensed we'd be in for a torrid afternoon in the near Baltic temperatures
I don't like being critical of our players, but I don't think anyone could gainsay the argument that our performance in the first half was pretty sub-optimal ; we struggled to seemingly string 2 passes together, failed to get any numbers down the channels when we did have possession, and gave away possession with a generous festive spirit that would have possibly brought a tear to the eye of even the great St. Nicholas.
We were lucky not to be 4 or 5 down by the time we queued for half-time refreshments
Soon after the re-start it was 3-0, but I can't comment on the goal as we were still in the mode of sourcing teas/coffees/beers and heard the cheer and could see the players in Amber celebrating ..... but I did see the 'keeper bring a Wanderers player down in the box shortly afterwards to concede a penalty that was duly converted
Once we'd got drinks ( that took an age ) we meandered down the opposite end but the hosts added a fifth as one of their players spotted the keeper in no-man's-land and lobbed him.
The Gaffer made some changes, and the arrival of Denzel Gayle, Marcel Barrington and Daniel Waldren did liven us up and inject some zest into our play but we all knew by now we were only really hunting some consolation goals , but we were finally asking some real questions of the home sides defence and the 'keeper was having to finally do a bit of work.
We briefly thought we would finally have a goal to cheer after a trademark driving run into the box and shot from the aforementioned Denzel Gayle was blocked and fell to Marvel Ekpiteta only for the woodwork to deny us.
Credit to all the players and manageent team coming over to acknowledge the supporters at the final whistle ; that can't have been easy after a performance and result like that, but as supporters it is always a nice touch to be recognised for coming along to cheer on the boys in Green even when things have gone awry.
So, a disappointing derby day this time around, but another derby day awaits in 7 days when lowly Welling come to town and we'll hope for a better performance and ( fingers crossed ) result.
We move on and hopefully Upwards
ISMWT

Match and Supporter Photos: Courtesy Lianne Browne
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/cray-wanderers-v-millers-271225-photos-lianne-browne-1162512.html