Valley marched through to the third round of the Velocity Trophy following a penalty shootout on a bitterly cold night in Suffolk.
With both teams fielding a strong side after Sudbury’s scheduled league encounter was postponed on Saturday, hopes were high for a repeat of the closely fought FA Trophy encounter in October.
Millers’ manager Kevin Watson handed a debut to new signing Raheem Sterling-Parker, while recalling Paul Semakula and Marcel Barrington to the eleven that started last Saturday’s defeat against Lancing.
And the opening half proved to be one of few goalscoring opportunities – the fledgling strike partnership of Sterling-Parker and Barrington taking time to gel, while the closest we had to a goal came in the eighth minute following a cross from Suds right back George Keys wide on the right. Ross Wall beat off Connor Dymond’s challenge to force a fine save from Chris Lewington diving to his right.
Barrington it was though who broke the deadlock for the visitors just before the hour.
Staying just onside to take a fine long pass from Cem Tumkaya, Barrington bore down on the Sudbury goal before beating young keeper Alfie Stronge with a deft finish with the outside of his right foot.
The lead didn’t last long though as indecision between Tumkaya and Dymond on the edge of the 18 yard box saw Andrew Marley assume possession before beating Lewington.
Jack Sammoutis replaced a disappointing Sterling-Parker shortly after, resulting in an increase in the Millers’ attacking tempo and creativity.
Although the overall quality of the game much improved in the latter stages, the best opportunity came the way of Nathan Green in stoppage time – his forceful run on the left ending with a powerful drive forced to safety by Stronge.
As Watson disappeared into the dressing room – not wishing to watch the resultant penalty shootout -, Valley netted with all five of their spot kicks, while Jamie Shaw rattled the crossbar with Sudbury’s second – the ball landing just in front of Lewington’s goal line to send the visitors back along the A12 with the spoils.
For the record, the successful penalty takers for the Millers were :-
Green, Barrington, Hassan Ibrahiym, Sammoutis and Semakula
MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – JACK SAMMOUTIS – Substitution just after the hour brought much needed zest and creativity to a hitherto lacklustre performance
MATCH RATING: – ***
SUDS : Stronge, Keys, C. Smith, Dombaxe, Grimwood, O’Malley, Nyadzayo (Hipkin 64), Clowsley (D. Smith 70), Shaw, Wall, Andrews
Substitutes Not used: Hillyard
Cautions: Grimwood, O’Malley, C.Smith
MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond, Green, Semakula, Blanks ©, Tumkaya, Barrington, Babalola (Day 83), Hill, Ibrahiym, Sterling-Parker (Sammoutis 64)
Not used: Osborne
Cautions: Green, Dymond
Referee – Abigail Byrne
Assistants – John Hyde and Alexander Shipp
Pic – Marcel Barrington slots the ball past Stronge to give The Millers the lead
Match photos by Michael Brown – @BSportsphotos
Watch the match highlights at –
Attendance: 98