Assistant Manager Tommy Osborne described Valley’s showing as “our worst performance of the season” as his playoff hopefuls were cut down to size by resurgent Oaks. (For full interview - see link here https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/tommys-viewpoint-178159.html

Former Phoenix Sports striker Yahaya Bamba struck a hat-trick in a dominant display from the hosts that should prove sufficient to ensure them Isthmian League football next season.
Devoid of injured goalkeeper Chris Lewington, and Ian Gayle from his defensive unit, Manager Kevin Watson called up youngster Liam Northwood between the sticks while a defensive reshuffle saw Paul Semakula deployed at right back.
Valley’s cause was further disrupted when Matt Warren was stricken by a groin injury after 13 minutes – his replacement Jack Sammoutis being a much more attack minded midfielder.
It wasn’t long after this switch that Bamba gave The Oaks an early lead.
Freddie Parker had an effort blocked by Alex Brefo before setting up fellow striker Bamba who shot beyond Northwood.
Samuel Johnson tried to catch Northwood off his line with a long range effort as Valley struggled to make inroads as an attacking force – leading scorer Marcel Barrington engaged in a competitive battle with experienced defender Corey Holder.
In the third of four additional first half minutes allocated by referee Alexander Kyriacou, Bamba struck a decisive blow – firing low past Northwood from inside the 18 yard box.
Any early second half attempts by the visitors to reduce the arrears were largely speculative and from long range, before Semakula was penalised for holding Bamba just inside the penalty area.
On a high and seeking his first Oaks hat-trick, Bamba sent Northwood the wrong way – dispatching his spot kick purposefully to Northwood’s left.
Raheem Sterling-Parker replaced Hassan Ibrahiym in a bid to offer Valley more attacking threat - his cross from the right narrowly evading Francis Babalola’s diving head in the six yard box.
But by and large, Tyler McCarthy in the Sevenoaks goal was rarely troubled as Bamba’s strikes proved decisive.
Results elsewhere leave Valley requiring four points from their final three games to ensure a play-off spot - courtesy of Ramsgate’s run of five consecutive defeats -, while it is to be hoped that this was just a “bad day at the office”.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – ANTHONY EDGAR – Any threat Valley did pose stemmed from his possession, while he contested well in midfield

MATCH RATING: - ***

OAKS : McCarthy, Palmer, Banya, Aziaya (Hibbert 75), Weaire, Holder ©, Gillies, De Silva, Parker (Ryan 36), Johnson, Bamba (Sawyer 66)
Substitutes Not Used : Opoku Duah-Kessie, Jonah
Caution : Azaiya

MILLERS : Northwood, Green, Semakula, Tumkaya, D.Gayle © (Babalola 46), Barrington, Adeyemo, Brefo, Warren (Sammoutis 13), Edgar, Ibrahiym (Sterling-Parker 64)
Substitutes Not Used : Lewington, Blanks
Cautions : Tumkaya, Brefo, Watson (Manager)

Referee – Alexander Kyriacou
Assistants – Deli Sotimirin and Alphie Ibrahim

Pic – Opposing skippers Denzel Gayle and Corey Holder dispute possession at Greatness Park

Photo and Video highlights by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
Match highlights can be found at :- https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-highlights--sevenoaks-town-vs-cray-valley-pm-fc-9422-178151.html
More photos Brownie Sports Photography can be found on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3440388249428667&type=3

Other match report along with manager comments courtesy of Stephen McCartney of Kentish Football - https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/sevecray090422