Manager Kevin Watson shuffled his pack as Valley ended their league campaign with a narrow defeat against The Lilywhites.
Clearly with a view to next week’s playoff game(s), Watson rested six players from Easter Monday’s starting line-up at VCD Athletic, while giving a recall to fit again Chris Lewington in goal. Youngster Jack Beerling enjoyed a rare outing at right back after appearing for England Schoolboys in the recent Centenary Shield.
With recent temperatures dropping a tad, the match was spoiled as a spectacle but a gusty wind throughout.
In a first half of few clear goalscoring opportunities, Francis Babalola went close in the 12th minute after seizing on a loose backpass. Pushing forward into the penalty area, Babalola beat goalkeeper Kei Plumley before his effort on goal was superbly blocked by Lillywhite’s defender Calvin Sedanu.
Enjoying a relatively quiet recall, Lewington’s goal at the other end was threatened when Faversham right back Benedict Bioletti won possession before cutting inside and firing narrowly wide of the far post.
Plumley did well to push a Babalola header over his bar following a fine cross from Beerling shortly after the restart, before Faversham took the lead midway through the second half.
Taking possession 30 yards out, Sam Bewick took a touch before hitting a superb dipping volley just inside the post beyond Lewington’s right hand.
As Watson rang the changes – giving valuable game time to the returning Rory Hill while Raheem Sterling-Parker came on to provide additional firepower at the expense of Paul Semakula – Valley posed more threat going forward.
Hassan Ibrahiym fired narrowly over Plumley’s goal from 20 yards, before Hill twice went close – looking to pick up the pieces as first Nat Blanks, then Berling had efforts saved by Plumley.
With Faversham continuing to offer a threat on the break, Ade Adeyemo twice went close to equalising for Valley in stoppage time – having an effort saved low down by Plumley, before heading a cross from Hill wide of the target from close range.

The defeat consigns Valley to a fifth place finish, meaning a visit to Ashford United in the playoff semi-final on Tuesday, followed by a potential away match in the final next Saturday.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – RORY HILL – Provided an attacking threat during his 25 minute cameo return

MATCH RATING: - ***

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond (Hill 65), Semakula (Sterling-Parker 74), Blanks ©, Tumkaya, Sammoutis, Adeyemo, Babalola, Brefo, Beerling, Ibrahiym
Substitutes Not Used : D.Gayle, Edgar, Northwood
Cautions : Ibrahiym

LILYWHITES : Plumley, Bioletti, Dickens, Smith (Wright 62), Bourne, Sedenu, Bewick, Harding, Elliott, Oluwasemo, Richardson-Brown (Blackwood 88)
Substitutes Not used: Richardson, Geddes, Woodcock
Caution : Smith

Referee : Howard Collins
Assistants : Ben Wilkinson and Paul Taylor

Pic – Jack Sammoutis retains possession in this midfield tussle

Match Photos and Video by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
More photos see our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3452818218185670&type=3

Match Highlights - https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-highlights--cray-valley-pm-vs-faversham-town-fc-23422-178584.html

Assistant Manager Tommy Osborne talking to Richard J Green post match: https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/tommys-viewpoint-2342022-178586.html