PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 POTTERS BAR TOWN 2 - 17 JAN 2026 - ATT 203
Goals: CV - Gayle 45+4
PBT - Adams 2, Kyei 69

Match Report by Steve Chapman

Potters Bar Town defied their lowly league position with a smash and grab victory at the Artic Stadium and in doing so dragged the hosts firmly into the relegation battle. Despite having the majority of possession, and hitting the woodwork three times, it was Nana Kyei's second half goal after 69 minutes that took maximum points back to North London.

Following their heavy defeat to St Albans last week, manager Steve McKimm introduced two new signings to his starting line-up. The hosts started the stronger with Rowan Liburb's low shot being tipped onto the post by keeper Josh Shattell after two minutes but less than 30 seconds later, the visitors went ahead with a clinical strike from striker Brandon Adams. The home side immediately pressed for an equaliser and came agonisingly close when Kareem Isiaka's header hit the underside of the bar and bounced out safely into the arms of Shattell. The score was eventually levelled on the stroke of half time when Valley veteran Denzel Gayle smashed home a shot from close range at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by the excellent Shattell.

After the interval it was one way traffic as the Millers went in search of a much needed win. However, the Scholars hit them on the counter attack and when Clement Asiedu dragged substitute Femi Akinwande to the ground, referee George Barker had no option but to award a penalty. Harrison Chamberlain pulled off a superb save from Kyei's spot kick but could not prevent the same player following up to score the rebound which proved to be the decisive goal.

The Millers struck the inside of the post late on in what was a much improved performance than in recent weeks and Steve McKimm will be keen to take the positives as the battle continues next week away to fourth place Aveley.

Man of the Match - Josh Shattell (Potters Bar Town)

Millers: Chamberlain, Green (Adebiyi 54), Bowry, Ekpiteta, Asiedu, Gayle (Ajakaiye 69), Beere (c), Agyemang (Cumberbatch 76), Shomotun (Tumkaya 85), Isiaka (Barrington 71), Liburd
Cautions: Green, Gayle, Isiaka, Tumkaya

Scholars: Shattell, Adjei-Hersey, Guzynski, Re, Kpekawa (c), Kpohomouh, Kyei, Howard, Adams (Brown-Johnson 77), Phillips (Akinwande 64), Anyadike (Oduwa 90) Subs not used: Teixeira, Mather
Cautions: Guzynski, Howard

Referee: George Barker
Assistants: Christopher Bowdery and Mungo Prior

Post Match Interview: Steve McKImm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/steve-mckimm-reacts-to-a-21-defeat-vs-potters-bar-town-17126--postmatch-interview-216680.html

New Signings:

https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/news/player-update--new-signings-2960060.html