THE ISUZU FA TROPHY THIRD ROUND QUALIFYING - 7 OCT 2023 - ATT 249
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 1 v CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2
GOALS: CA - Bassett 86 (pen)
CV - Black 40, Coombes 71

This was the Millers eleventh cup tie in all competitions this season and they maintained their unbeaten record as they reached the first round proper of the FA Trophy for the first time. The Robins will probably be glad to see the back of the Millers for a while after exiting both the FA Cup and FA Trophy to them over the past week.

Millers manager Steve McKimm made full use of his squad bringing in no less than eight new starters from the team that started the two FA Cup games with only three retaining their place.

The Robins enjoyed the better of the opening half hour with Kweku Lucan on the right causing problems but the Millers gradually grew into the game and took the lead on forty minutes. Julien Anau did well after getting on the end of an Adam Coombes lob from out wide and pulled the ball back for Sonny Black to fire home past the Robins keeper from ten yards.

Carshalton started the second half brightly as they went in search of an equaliser, a corner kick was headed back at the far post and Bradley Williams was just off target with an overhead kick. Shortly after Danny Bassett went close with a volley from close in.

Thereafter it was the Millers once again in the ascendancy as the chances started to rack up, Denzel Gayles low cross was cleared direct to Barney Williams whose shot flew just over the bar. Gayle was involved again as he played a one two with Coombes I his own half and then chased down the ball over the top, the keeper just getting there first to block with his leg but his clearance fell to Calvin Ekpetita out wide on the right, his first time shot from an acute angle was on target but cleared off the line by the covering ex Charlton Athletic midfielder Mark Marshall. Coombes then slipped the ball through to Anau who found himself one on one with the keeper who saved with his legs.

A second goal looked likely and came on 71 minutes, Gayle did well taking his time at the bi line under close attention from the defender and his low pin point cross found Adam Coombes who finished well from close range.

With four minutes of normal time left on the clock, the Robins were awarded penalty when Jensen Grant fouled Olu Babajide in the box and Bassett converted the spot kick. It set up what could have been a nervy last few minutes but in the event the Millers saw out the game without any further drama.

They now await Monday's draw with interest but before the next round of the FA Trophy on the 28th October, the focus swings back to the FA Cup with Enfield Town the visitors to the Artic Stadium for the fourth qualifying round tie next Saturday.

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Chambers, Oshilaja, Tumkaya, Gayle (C), Black (Vigor 71), Coombes, Anau, Grant, Ekpeteta. Subs not used: Lee, Parker, Ademiluyi, Freeman, Lisbie, Asiedu.
Cautions: Oshilaja, Grant

Robins: O'Donovan, Dennis (Hammond 83), Beeden, Read, Sankoh, Williams, Frimpong (Babajide 72), Bradford, Marshall (Lamont 72), Bassett, Lucan. Subs not used: Hamilton-Downes, Beer
Cautions, Read

Referee: Jake Woodman
Assistants: Stephen Ryan ans Owen Lawrence

Photos: Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/fa-trophy-carshalton-athletic-v-millers-71023-photos-inspire-socials-1077978.html

Video: Highlights courtesy of Carshalton Athletic Robins TV
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/highlights--carshalton-athletic-vs-cray-valley-pm--071023-194327.html

Video: Post match interview with Millers manager Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-delivers-second-upset-in-a-week-beating-carshalton-athletic-21-in-the-fa-trophy-71023-194328.html