Cray Valley and Sevenoaks shared the spoils in a lacklustre encounter at The Badger as the hosts took the lead in the first half and the visitors’ ex Millwall man Danny Hockton scored a second half penalty.

 

In a largely forgettable first half with chances at a premium it was The Millers’ who took the lead just shy of the half hour – Front men Jim Doherty and Alwayne Jones linked up well on halfway and released winger James Hawkins down the left.

Hawkins cut inside his man on the edge of the box seeing his shot deflected and loop high and over visiting custodian Richard Stroud who was helpless as it came back off the crossbar with Doherty, crucial in creating the opening, on hand to bundle the ball home from close range.

Sevenoaks’ response was immediate and duly created their best openings of the half but home ‘keeper Stevie Sutton was alert and on hand twice in quick succession with The Millers’ clearing the danger.

The second half followed a similar fashion to the opening forty-five minutes as neither side looked to take the game by the scruff of the neck and take the ascendency.

The Millers’ Hawkins continued to be a threat but the final ball just lacked that bit of quality his build up play at times deserved – Ten minutes into the second half however Hawkins managed to get an inviting low cross in from the left hand side but Doherty was guilty of not taking full advantage as his weak touch in front of goal failed to trouble Stroud.

On the hour mark the visitors’ Tom Ripley found himself in front of goal from a half-cleared corner but strong defending saw Ripley’s header go harmlessly over the bar.

Throughout the game Sevenoaks’ Martin Debrah caused concern out on the right hand side but, aligned to the theme of the game, his final ball was found wanting however his time soon came as he took up possession well on the edge of the box and in showing good close control and wriggling clear of his marker, his run was impeded by Jamie Miller with the referee unquestionably awarding the visitors a penalty – The Millers’ did not protest and Miller picked up a caution – Danny Hockton, only moments beforehand coming on as sub, slammed the ball home, sending Sutton the wrong way.

In the closing stages the visitors almost snatched the three points as Hockton almost capitalised on a short back-pass but Sutton was alert and beat the advancing forward to the loose ball to clear and Danny Powell found himself with a half-chance on the edge of the box but harmlessly and hurriedly scuffed his shot wide.

The Millers’ boss Paul Gross brought himself on, but to no avail as the hosts were unable to carve out an opportunity to take the three points for themselves.

 

Cray Valley PM: Sutton, Osborne ©, A. Gross, Rogers, Sawyer, Vint, O’Shea (Ibemere, 64), Miller, Doherty (Williams, 79), Jones (P. Gross, 86), Hawkins

Subs not used: Dobson, Tunyaka

Goals: Doherty (26)

 

Sevenoaks Town: Stroud, Miles, Gilbert (Munnery, 28), Koffi, Lord ©, Ripley, Debrah, Stock, Powell, Patterson (Hockton, 64), Camacho

Subs not used: Sesay, Wallis, Skelton

Goals: Hockton (68)

 

Referee: Mr P Zachweija

Asst Referees: Mr T McCourt & Mr M Jenkins

Att; 60