PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CANVEY ISLAND 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 - 14 FEB 2026 - ATT 266
Goals: CI - Steward 4, Hambury 9
CV - Evans 21, Shomotun 29

LISBIE"S BATTLING MILLERS MAKE A POINT

It wasn't all roses & chocolates on Valentine's Day but there were plenty of positives to suggest the Millers can play themselves out of trouble and finish the season strongly. New dug out incumbents Kevin Lisbie and Solomon Taiwo could only watch in horror as the hosts took a two goal lead in 9 minutes but within the half hour parity had been restored with Mikise Evans and Funmaya Shomotun on the scoresheet. The Millers looked the more likely to score the winner after the interval but it was not to be. An entertaining game on a difficult surface and smiles all round at the end from all at the game connected to Cray Valley (PM). Roll on next week and the visit to the Artic Stadium of Dulwich Hamlet.

After Evans had almost given the visitors the lead in the opening minute, the hosts went ahead on 4 minutes a 30 yard wonder strike from full back Ben Steward into the top corner, giving debutant keeper Archie Burford, playing due to an injury to first choice Taite Holtam, no chance. Five minutes later the lead was doubled, Matas Sharna's cross rebounding off Burford and Zak Hambury was on hand to tap home from close range.

The Millers heads didn't drop and Shomotun made a run down the right flank cutting inside and his pin point cross was met by the head of Makise Evans close in to pull a goal back on 21 minutes. Eight minutes later the scores were level, Shomotun again on the right cut inside and this time hitting a low shot into the bottom near corner. The Millers were now in the ascendancy although Burford made a good save from a Canvey attack.

Second half and half chances created, Kenny Aileru dragged a shot wide, Cem Tumkaya, up for a corner saw his header deflected just past the post. Both defences worked hard to get the necessary blocks in and Shomotun capped a fine performance by chasing back in defence to thwart a counter attack by the hosts. Every Miller put in a shift and the point lifts them out of the bottom four although this could be temporary as the clubs below all have games in hand so much still to be done.

Man of the match: Fumnaya Shomotun - Cray Valley (PM)

Gulls: Warren, Steward, Hambury (Dorrell 80), Yeboah, O'Neill, Dariri, Konto (c), Paxman, Newson (Ofori-Acheampong 73), Mohamud (Hubble 57), Skarna, Subs not used: Norman, Finneran
Cautions: Ofori-Acheampong

Millers: Burford, Bowry, Tumkaya, Lema (Asiedu 80), Aileru (Gayle 65), Waldren (c) Cumberbatch 69), Agyemang, Shomotun, Isiaka (Ajakaiye 89), Evans, Liburd (Barrington 65)
Cautions: None

Referee: Steven Goldup
Assistants: William Rough and Marian Stoichitoium

Post Match Interview: Kevin Lisbie on his first game in charge
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/kevin-lisbies-first-game-in-charge--reaction-to-a-22-draw-at-canvey-island-14226-217217.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/canvey-island-v-millers-14226-photos-inspire-socials-1166502.html