PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 CRAY WANDERERS 2 - 6 APR 2026 - ATT 452
Goals: CV - Shomotun 37
CW - Raymond 11, Hutchinson 74

The Wands edged the battle of the Crays to take all three points and leave Valley with an uphill task as they they look to avoid the drop. The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute, Wands captain Frankie Raymond firing into the top far corner after making the overlap to receive the pass after Prince Adegoke attempted clearance from Marvel Ekpiteta's back pass had initially been charged down.

Valley gradually got themselves back in the game and were rewarded with an equaliser on 37 minutes. Sanchez Ming wining a loose ball in the middle found Fumnaya Shomotun with a short pass who with a trademark run at goal and cut inside fired low past the keeper into the bottom corner. Parity at the interval.

Second half and the Wands were very much on top at the start forcing Valley to defend frantically at times, Adegoke saving with his legs and Alfie Newby with a timely block to keep the ball out come to mind. Valley too had chances though, Kurtis Cumberbatch with a run at goal but his shot was blocked by the keeper and the rebound just evaded Chris Dixon following up. Shomotun went close to adding a second after another run and shot but this time was thwarted by Wands keeper Harry Seaden who made a good save.

The winning goal came in the 74th minute, substitute Shae Hutchinson who had only been on the field a couple of minutes picked up the ball wide on the edge of the penalty area and fired low and hard across goal and into the far corner. Valley tried in vain to get a second equaliser and came closest ten minutes from time when the ball fell to Dixon in the box, he swivelled and sweetly struck a volley only to see it smack against the underside of the cross bar and out. Fine margins.

The defeat leaves Valley with three to play, despite all the clubs around them also losing it looks like a minimum of two wins are needed and even that may not be sufficient. While there is a chance though there is hope and such is football, you just never know!

Man of the match: Fumnaya Shomotun (Cray Valley PM) the award presented after the game by our match day sponsors Michael Cooper and Family inc Buckley.

Millers: Adegoke, Ming (Green 78), Waldren (c), Ekpiteta, Newby, Shomotun, Cumberbatch (Agyemang 66), Adebiyi, Ibrahiym (Okewoye 56), Evans, Dickson, Subs Not Used: Tumkaya, Asiedu
Cautions: Ibrahiym, Ekpiteta, Waldren

Wands: Seaden, Morgan, Stephen-Iwumene (Hand 72), Sutton, Raymond (c), Hernandez, Ogunwamide (Mongoy 71), Ajakaiye (fiddles 72), Taylor, Lema (Owiredu-Gyamera 77), Adaja (Hutchinson 71)
Cautions: Stephen-Iwumene, Morgan, Raymond

Post Match Interview: Kevin Lisbie
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/postmatch-kevin-lisbie--cray-valley-pm-12-cray-wanderers-6426-218656.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-cray-wanderers-6426-photos-inspire-socials-1169968.html