PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SOUTH EAST DIVISION
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 HERNE BAY 0 - SAT 26 SEP 2026 - ATT 272
Goals: CV - Dickson 24 (pen), 59. Cain 65

Match Report by Steve Chapman

The Millers recorded their first home victory of the season in an entertaining game at a sun drenched Mayne Arena. A brace from the ever-green striker Chris Dickson and a first goal for the club from substitute Bailee Cain secured the points.

Needless to say, manager Kevin Lisbie was elated with the win and after the match he reflected, "at long last we have found the energy and hunger in our play that I've been asking for". Meanwhile, in the opposing dugout our old adversary Ben Smith was rueing several missed first half opportunities, as he suffered yet another defeat against the Valley.

Dickson should have put the hosts ahead in the 10th minute but quickly made amends when he fired home a penalty after 23 minutes. Following a trip in the box by Emmanual Robe on Eniola Hassan, the veteran goal machine coolly smashed the ball into the bottom corner beyond the outstretched arm of visitor's keeper Tom Wray. In an evenly matched first half, the Bay were thwarted by some fine saves from Harrison Chamberlain and a fantastic block by Marc-Anthony Okoye from a shot by Joe Taylor. At the other end, the home side could have extended their lead when Hassan hit the post and Jack Kirby’s effort was saved by Wray.

After the interval it was one way traffic for the home side. Dickson netted his second on the hour when he lobbed the advancing Wray after latching onto a great through ball from Montel Agyemang and 6 minutes later Cain added a third after Wray could only parry Hassan’s shot into his path and he passed his shot into an empty net.

Okoye had an excellent game restricting ex Ramsgate centre forward Taylor to half chances all afternoon, whilst marshalling his defence to a well deserved clean sheet.

Man of the Match - Chris Dickson (Cray Valley)

Millers: Chamberlain, Turner, Okoye, Vaughan, Sankoh, Santanna (Cain 61), Agyemang (c), Hassan, Shokunbi (Whitby 87), Kirby (Stewart 86), Dickson (Leahy 86), Sub not used: Gayle
Cautions: Turner, Sankoh, Santanna

Bay: Wray, Wyborn (Kokoshi 74), Black, Aarons-Royal Duru 74), Morgan, Taylor (c), Smith (Lartice 65), Robe, Puemo, Antonio (Cosgrave 71), Eruotor (Heard 75)
Caution: Wyborn

Referee: Matthew Leaning
Assistants: Mungo Prior and Nigel Owen

Video: Goal Highlights:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-pm-v-herne-bay-26926--goal-highlights--221538.html

Post Match Interview: Kevin Lisbie
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/kevin-lisbie-postmatch-interview--cray-valley-pm-30-herne-bay-26926-221444.html

Match Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/millers-v-herne-bay-26926-photos-inspire-socials-1179076.html