Bumper crowd of 840 see Cray Valley PM win first-ever encounter with Cray Wanderers

BY MARK DOIG

History was made when Cray Wanderers hosted Cray Valley PM in the Isthmian League Premier Division last night.

It was the Wands’ first-ever league game at their new Flamingo Park ground following 26 years of groundsharing at Bromley. For Cray Valley it was also a massive evening as they played their maiden away game at step three level. If that wasn’t enough, incredibly, the two Cray sides had never met before in a first-team competitive fixture of any kind. Therefore it came as no surprise that there was an excellent attendance of 840.

Hassan Ibrahiym had the first effort for the visitors with a volley that flew wide before Frankie Raymond’s snapshot for the Wands flew over. David Smith then sent Kenny Coker through but Max Ovenden, the Millers goalkeeper, made an excellent block with his feet.

Another Ibrahiym effort flew wide of the far post before the visitors went even closer when Danny Waldren’s far-post header was cleared off the line by Nyren Clunis.

Neil Smith’s Wanderers were forced to make a change before the half-hour mark due to an injury to captain Tom Bonner and he was replaced by Archie Johnson. Shortly after the Millers again went close. Denzel Gayle broke down the right wing and when he pulled it back it rebounded off a defender and on to the base of the post.

Clunis fired over for the hosts before Barney Williams’ drive was deflected wide at the other end. When the corner was nodded out it fell to Matt Vigor. His first effort was blocked before he skied his follow up.

As the first period went into stoppage time, Lateef Adaja exhibited great skill to keep it in play before sprinting down the wing and cutting in but his shot flew wide of Ovenden’s near post.

After the interval, Waldren had a header saved by Shaun Rowley before Darion Dowrich got into a great position for the hosts, but fired over.

The deadlock was broken just before the hour mark. Livewire Gayle again burst down the wing, then chopped back before slotting inside the near post.

Two minutes later, the Millers went two goals to the good. Once again, Gayle was the architect as another marauding run ended with a low cross that was finished by Freddie Parker at the far post.

Clunis stabbed wide after a scramble in the Millers’ goalmouth, however, they were soon on the attack again and Rowley dived to hold Michael Ademiluyi’s shot.

Both teams had to contend with injuries in the closing minutes. First Johnson had to be led off with blood pouring out of his mouth following a stray elbow. Then Gayle departed after going down holding his leg.

Eight minutes of stoppage time were played with just one further chance for the Millers, a Lyle Della-Verde free-kick that was narrowly off target.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN