PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 CHESHUNT 3 - 31 JAN 2026 - ATT 238
Goals: CV - Barrington 48, 63 Beere 69
C - Furlong 20, Granville (pen) 37, Wilson-Braithwaite 45+3

Match Report by Steve Chapman

It was Beere O'Clock as captain Tom Beere inspired a second half comeback as the Millers came from three goals down at the interval to earn a share of the spoils at the Artic Stadium and in doing so ended a run of six consecutive defeats for the home side.

After Valley had a Dan Bowry header ruled out for offside in the first minute Cheshunt almost took the lead when Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite swivelled in the box but saw his shot hit the post. The breakthrough eventually came in the 19th minute when Matthias Fanino's deep corner was headed in by the unmarked Darian Furlong at the far post. Kareen Isiaka should have equalised shortly after but with the goal at his mercy he fired wide of the upright. The Ambers extended their lead on 38 minutes with skipper Furlong involved again. On this occasion, he was bundled over by Rowan Liburd and referee Gareth Burton had no option but to award a penalty. Keeper Taite Holtam dived to his right but Sam Granville smashed his shot straight down the middle. Wilson- Braithwaite atoned for his earlier miss when he added his sides third on the stroke of half time.

The hosts began their fightback immediately after the break when Beere pulled the ball back from the goal line for Marcel Barrington to head home. It was the same players that combined in the 62 minute for Valley's second goal. Beere slipped the ball through to Barrington whose low shot found the bottom corner. It was Beere himself that completed the comeback when his fierce shot from the edge of the box took a slight deflection taking the ball past keeper Aymen Azaze. Valley were now in the ascendency as they looked to pull off a remarkable comeback, Beere's well struck volley as the ball sat up on the edge of the box flying just over and Rowan Liburd's overhead kick going the wrong side of the post.

Either team could have won the match in added time, Dan Bowry saw his header saved by Azaze on the line before Connor Kurran-Brown sliced his shot wide with a clear shot at goal in sight. In the end the spoils were shared with Valley manager Steve McKimm delighted with the manner of the second half showing and securing a vital point. Next up is the visit of Welling United to the Artic Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Man of the Match - Marcel Barrington (Cray Valley)

Millers: Holtam. Green, Bowry, Ekpiteta, Asiedu, Ajakaiye (Aileru 59), Beere (c) (Adebiyi 79), Agyemang, Isiaka (Cumberbatch 67), Barrington, Liburd, Subs not used: Gayle, Waldren
Cautions: Ekpiteta, Green

Ambers: Azaze, Akolbire, Pitblado, Wilson-Braithwaite, Furlong (c). Da Silva, Vasiliou (Naylor 50), Granville, Wood, Fanimo (Melvin-Lambert 64), Kurran-Browne. Subs not used Effa, Lontton, Bevin
Cautions: Antonis, Kurran-Browne

Referee: Gareth Burton
Assistants: Daniel Trout and Jake Martin

Match Highlights - Cray Valley (PM) Goals - a Marcel Barrington double and Tom Beere
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/goals-v-cheshunt-31126-217056.html

Post Match Interview: Steve McKImm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/steve-mckimm-postmatch--cray-valley-pm-rally-from-30-down-to-draw-33-against-cheshunt-31126-216962.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-cheshunt-31126-photos-inspire-socialsf-1165231.html