MARCEL BARRINGTON SCORED HIS SIXTH GOAL IN EIGHT LEAGUE GAMES as his 76th minute header secured the points for Valley in a well contested local derby.
In a game of few goalscoring opportunities of note, Barrington headed home from close range to propel The Millers onto equal points with early season pacesetters Haywards Heath Town.
On a chilly, blustery night at The Artic Stadium, the hosts came close to taking the lead with less than two minutes on the clock – Jack Sammoutis’ right wing corner being headed narrowly wide by Rory Hill.
With the game starting to take shape – Valley enjoying the major share of possession – Byron Walker tested Millers keeper Chris Lewington from distance shortly before one of many crunching challenges on Hassan Ibrahiym saw Hill fire narrowly wide from the resultant free kick.
With the Millers midfielders’ forward runs being thwarted at source by Sports’ tough tackling back line, an excellent run from deep by Ibrahiym ended with a fierce drive sweeping narrowly past the post from 25 yards, before Sammoutis produced a swift spin and turn in midfield, finding Warren whose shot was pushed away for a corner by Phoenix custodian Steve Phillips.
The match continued in much the same vein – Millers enjoying lots of midfield possession without seriously troubling Phillips, while Phoenix chose to adopt a more direct route - before Barrington struck.
Ibrahiym burst forward on the right before playing the ball to Warren who shimmied inside and put in a great cross onto the head of Barrington to beat Phillips.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – MATT WARREN – Pictured Below - An industrious performance with no little quality was highlighted by a superb shimmie and cross to lay on the match winner

MATCH RATING: - ***

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond ©, Green, Tumkaya, Gayle (Babalola 57), Sammoutis Barrington, Warren, Ompreon (Blanks 46), Hill (Tomlin 68), Ibrahiym
Substitutes Not used : Semakula, Salmon
Cautions : Ompreon, Babalola

SPORTS : Phillips, Douglas, F.Walker ©, Fitchett, Breffo, Evans, Osideko (Bryon 86), Bird, Duah-Kessie, Dyer (Ansah 76), B.Walker (Whitelock 65)
Substitutes Not used: Miller, Lashley
Cautions : Breffo, B.Walker

Referee : Gerry Heron
Assistants : Dele Sotimirin and Morgan Conn

Pic – Marcel Barrington wheels away after heading home the decisive goal for The Millers

Match photos by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos

Rory Hill goes close with the header

Captain Connor Dymond in action

Other Match Report:
Stephen McCartney Kentish Football including manager interviews
http://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/crayphoe051021

Match details

Match date

Tue 05 Oct 2021

Kickoff

19:45

Attendance

102

Competition

South East

League position

Cray Valley PM

Phoenix Sports

Team overview

BARRINGTON SEALS DERBY WIN FOR THE MILLERS