EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND REPLAY - 15 NOV 2023 - ATT 1,550
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 6
Goals: CV - Lisbie (pen) 44
CA - May 35,51, Leaburn 49, Dobson 59, Campbell 77, Mbick 85

Report by Mark Doig for KSN

For a game and a half, Cray Valley PM gave Charlton Athletic plenty to think about in the F.A. Cup First Round. However, two goals in the first six minutes of the second period of the replay helped the Addicks to an ultimately comfortable conclusion.

Alfie May, a threat throughout the replay, had the first chance of the match for Charlton in Eltham but the Millers’ goalkeeper, Sam Freeman,got down to save before Arthur Lee had a first time effort for the hosts that Sam Walker saved comfortably.Nathan Asimwe had a shot beaten out by Freeman then George Dobson found May whose first shot was blocked out by Cray goalkeeper, and his follow up went into the side netting. Barney Williams hooked a Lucas Ness header off the line as Charlton continued to probe.

Ten minutes before half time, the visitors went ahead. May got onto the end of a long clearance by Ness and brought it down exquisitely before flicking it past the onrushing Freeman and into the net. May, who includes VCD Athletic, Erith and Belvedere, and Hythe Town amongst his former clubs, then hit an audacious forty yard effort from out wide that went beyond the far post.

However, it was the hosts who levelled in the last minute of the first half. Kyrell Lisbie burst through and was taken out by Walker as he forged his way into the penalty area. Walker escaped with a yellow card, which could easily have been a red, before Lisbie converted from the spot.

In the fourth minute of the second half, Myles Leaburn headed home from Nathan Asimwe’s cross then two minutes later, they scored again. Scott Fraser sent May through and he slid it home from the tightest of angles after rounding Freeman. Seven minutes later, Charlton made it four when George Dobson hit a spectacular shot swerving into the top corner. Substitutions by both sides broke up the flow of the match and with Charlton happy to keep their hosts at bay, chances were few and far between until the latter stages.

Thirteen minutes were left when Charlton scored a fifth. Connor McGrandles squared for Tyreece Campbell to score with an accomplished finish from the edge of the penalty area after the Millers had only half cleared a Fraser free kick. Micah Mbick made it six with four minutes remaining when Dobson sent Fraser through. Freeman did well to save but Mbick was on hand to roll it in.

Although the final scoreline was harsh on the Millers, they can take a lot of credit from their memorable cup run which has got them a lot of exposure and, hopefully, helped the welcoming club attract some new supporters.

Millers: Freeman, Williams, Lee (c), Tumkaya, Black, Parker, Ademiluyi (Gayle 60), Vigor (Anau 60), Lisbie (Ekpiteta 71), Ibrahiym (Oshilaja 62), Asiedu (Chambers 71) Subs not used: Coombes, Ovenden, Gilchrist, Turner
Cautions: Williams

Charlton Athletic: Walker, Jones, Dobson, Ness, May, Fraser, Leaburn (Kedwell 80), McGrandles (Mbick 82), Edun (Watson T 69), Blackett-Taylor (Campbell T 45, Asimwe, Subs not used: Molneux, Watson L, Campbell C, Tedic, Bowyer
Cautions; Walker