Steve McKimm’s Cray Valley (PM) caused an upset when holding Charlton Athletic in the F.A. Cup First Round.
Their never-say-die attitude came to the fore as they didn’t throw in the towel after conceding an early goal and they were fully deserving of the chance to do it again.
Chem Campbell had a shot beaten out by Cray keeper Sam Freeman in the early exchanges before James Abankwah headed Charlie Kirk’s corner over.
In the ninth minute, the Addicks scored the opening goal. Karoy Anderson split the Millers’ defence and Scott Fraser raced through, rounded Freeman, and tucked it away.
Despite the difference in statuses, the Millers still had their moments and they moved it around crisply to find Matthew Vigor. He lined up Kyrell Lisbie whose shot was charged down at the cost of a corner.
They then defended stoutly keeping Charlton down to few chances. Abankwah flicked it up to create a volleying opportunity but it was deflected then Freeman turned over a shot from Campbell acrobatically.
Terell Thomas headed wide from a Fraser corner, then Slobodan Tedic fired over first time from Kirk’s cross.
At just one down, the Millers went in at half time believing that they were still in the tie, and that proved right three minutes after the break when they levelled. Lisbie got to the bye-line and tried to find Freddie Parker but in trying to intercept it, Lucas Ness could only turn it into his own net.
Unsurprisingly, Charlton upped the tempo and Kirk fired over from close range at the far post before he was sent clean through but could not slip it passed Freeman’s outstretched leg. Tedic then looped a header on to the bar and over, before he fired well over from Kirk’s pull back.
Both teams then made substitutions and it appeared to halt the Addicks’ momentum. Denzel Gayle crossed for Sonny Black in the middle but the Cray midfielder was unable to turn it goalwards then Adam Coombes created a shooting opportunity for Julien Anau however he flashed it wide.
Louie Watson shot wide from distance for the hosts then Miles Leaburn had an effort beaten out by Freeman and Cem Tumkaya tidied up. It wasn’t one way, though, and Coombes had a free kick saved by Walker.
Despite there being ten minutes of injury time signalled, the Millers remained strong and Charlton created just one more chance, a low shot by Leaburn that was saved by Freeman.
A replay now awaits both clubs on a date to be agreed.
Charlton Athletic: Walker, Abankwah (Asiimwe 61), Edun (T. Watson 61) McGrandles (L. Watson 71), Ness, Thomas, Campbell (Leaburn 71), Kirk (May 61), Tedic Fraser, Anderson.
Subs not used: Maynard-Brewer, Dobson, Hector, Blackett-Taylor.
Goal scorers: Fraser (9)
Yellow cards:
Cray Valley (PM): Freeman, Williams, Asiedu, Lee, Tumkaya, Ibrahiym, Ademiluyi, Black, Parker (Coombes 71), Vigor (Anau 71), Lisbie (Gayle 62).
Unused subs: Ovenden, Wicks, Chambers, Ekpiteta, Gilchrist, Turner.
Goalscorers: Ness own goal (48)
Yellow cards:
Referee: Benjamin Speedie
Assistants: Ryan Whitaker and Gareth Vickers
Fourth Official: Tom Reeves
Attendance: 6,721 including1,998 from Cray Valley PM.
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.