MILLERS KO CHATS TO PROGRESS IN TROPHY
THE ISUZU FA TROPHY FIRST ROUND - 28 OCT 2023 - ATT 420
CHATHAM TOWN 0 v CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2
GOALS: CV - Gayle 62, Turner 90

Cray Valley progressed to the second round of the Isuzu FA Trophy, extending their best ever run in the competition, by beating Isthmian premier side Chatham Town 2-0 at the Bauvill Stadium.

Valley enjoyed the better of the first half without unduly troubling Ben Bridle Card in the Chatham goal before finally taking a deserved lead after the interval in the 62nd minute following a corner kick. Denzel Gayle the goalscorer, firing low through a crowded six yard box after the ball was laid back to him by Freddie Parker.

Valley looked in control for most of the game but the Chats went close in the closing stages as they looked for an equaliser. First hooking the ball over keeper Max Ovenden and the cross bar and then shortly after heading over from close range.

In added time a melee broke out in front of the away dug out, a free kick had been awarded to the Chats, no idea what really happened next, but the Chats keeper Bridie Card choose to run across to get involved and was ultimately shown a red card.

With virtually the last kick of the game Malachy Turner one of two U18 Isthmian side players on the bench, who replaced Parker in the 77th minute, scored the second to make the game safe. A low shot by Tom Chambers was fumbled by the stand in keeper defender Matt Bodkin and after Kyrell Lisbie made a challenge for the ball it broke into the path of Turner who was on hand to calmly take a step to his left to find space and slot into the empty net.

After the final whistle as the players left the field a red card was also shown to the Chats top scorer this season Jamie Yila to round off a bad afternoon for the hosts.

For Valley next stop is indeed the Valley and the FA Cup first round tie dreams are made of against Charlton Athletic next Sunday at 5.30pm.

Malachy Turner who scored his first goal for the first team in just his third appearance, the other two appearance being in the Kent Senior Cup.

Millers: Ovenden, Williams, Oshilaja, Tumkaya, Asiedu, Gayle (Lisbie 70), Black, Anau, Ademiluyi, Ekpiteta (Chambers 88), Parker (Turner 77) Subs not used: Freeman, Lee, Coombes, Gilchrist
Cautions: Anau

Chats: Bridie Card, Butler, Nuala (Bodkin 66), Evans, Yila, Taylor, Brefo, Cooper, Islaka (Allen 67), Sanogo, Fagg (Robins 46), Subs not used: Beckwith, Kedwell, Krabbendam, Serie Richardson
Cautions: Taylor
Sent Off: Bridie Card 90, Lila 96

Match Officials:
Referee: Craig Barnett
Assistants: Mahgl Elhalawany and Gary Baker

Video: Match Highlights
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/highlights--isuzu-fa-trophy--chatham-town-02-cray-valley-pm-fc-281023-195195.html

Video: Post Match Highlights with Steve McKimm
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/post-match-interview--steve-mckimm-reflects-on-20-victory-against-chatham-town-fc-in-fa-trophy-281023-195199.html

Photos: Romana at Inspire Socials
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/photos/fa-trophy--chatham-town-v-millers-photos-inspire-socials-1080525.html