A new look Millers team failed to take advantage of a resolute Margate side that were reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Gibu Nije in the 77 minute for two bookable offences.

The first half was a cagy affair with neither team creating many chances, Mal Turner perfectly timed a challenge in the area to thwart the Gate early on and winger Osaretin Otote tested the visiting keeper Harry Seaden who pulled off a fine save. Chris Dickson combined well with Montel Agyemang just before the interval but the latter's shot was off target.

Cray took the initiative after the break and created enough chances to secure the points. Osaretin Otote and Ade Shokunbi were at the forefront of a couple of attacks but neither could find the finish required. Veteran striker Dickson was a constant threat to the Gate defence all afternoon and almost opening the scoring on the hour, his shot deflecting off Finn O'Mara, lopped over Seadon but hit the top of the crossbar. Dickson also had a low shot just wide of the post and a header comfortably saved by the visitor's keeper late on.

Man of the Match - Chris Dickson (Cray Valley)

Millers: Adegoke, Turner, Okoye, Smith, Sankoh, Gayle (c) (Santanna 58), Agyemang, Leahy (Whitby 46), Otote (Muwonge 74), Shokunbi, Dickson. Subs not used: Deighton, Jeffrey
Cautions: Gayle, Turner

Gate: Seaden, Ossai, Njie, Thomas, Adewoju, O'Mara-Knapp (Wilkins 78), Splatt (Wabo 58) (Sithole 86), Schafer, O'Mara (c), Dalton, Garande. Subs not used; Moralee, Caney-Bryan
Cautions: Thomas, O'Mara, Njie
Dismissed: Njie (second yellow 77)

Referee: Toby Carlisle
Assistants: Alec Spoja and David Dice

Iphone photo: Dicksons header from the corner is saved by Seaden in the Gate goal.

Post match interview: Kevin Lisbie
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/kevin-lisbie-postmatch-interview--cray-valley-pm-00-margate-8826-220249.html

Additional Match Report by Preston Lee-Willott, Cray Valley (PM) supporter

The Preston Perspective
"Goalless against the 'Gate"
Cray Valley PM 0 - 0 Margate
Isthmian South Eastern Division
An intriguing fixture to kick start the league campaign saw 2 clubs that will undoubtedly be aspiring to be at the top end of the table challenging for honours in April go head to head ; albeit with much changed personnel from last season
The men in green have a vastly overhauled squad following on from the disappointing relegation from the Isthmian Premier last season with many new faces in the squad and coaching staff coupled with a realization that it may talke a good few games to gel and build understanding.

Margate on the other hand may have been forgiven for thinking they'd hit the ground running ; having poached the services of promotion winning Whitstable manager Jamie Coyle during the close season who'd then brought with him arguably most of the Whitstable squad including former Miller Finn O'Mara much to the dismay of stalwart supporters at The Belmont on the North Kent coast.

After a fairly even opening quarter of an hour, Cray Valley settled into the game better , and had by far the better of the play and forced a few chances without really testing the 'keeper and 0-0 at the half-time break was a fair score-line.

In the second 45, it was a far more dominant display from the home side with Otote Shukumbi, Whitby and Okoye all looking particularly promising. At times perhaps, if a critique could be made, we held onto the ball for one touch too many and were a little shot shy, as for much of that period with the attacking possesion, i felt we didn't really work the visiting 'keeper enough
At one point we did think we'd got off the mark as veteran striker Chris Dickson managed to crack off a shot that had the 'keeper wrong footed ....... but went agonisingly an inch wide of the post.

Margate found themselves down to 10 men (and deservedly so) after their No. 4 - Njie - earned a second yellow for a professional foul, and it was arguable that less than sixty seconds later they should have been down to 9 as Finn O'Mara was very lucky not to get his second yellow of the game ....... but i sensed the ref just wasn't going to brandish another red straight away. i just wonder if that shrewd and wise old campaigner Finn O'Mara knew that too . . . . .
Try as we might, we couldn't break through the ex-Whitstable defence which was well organised and marshalled by the aforementioned O'Mara sporting the captains's armband and ultimately, the visitors from the coast held on for a point to send their small band of fans back to dreamland.
Had that been a boxing match ....... we'd have won on points
But it was football .... so we didn't !!!
So the points were shared and if you'd have offered me a draw at 15:00 I'd have taken it.
An encouraging start, plenty of good football and reasons to believe goals will start to come too

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Photos
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-margate-8826-photos-inspire-socials-1175700.html