On a chilly afternoon, Cray Valley (PM)’s first home game of 2025 ended in a heavy defeat at the hands of Hashtag United in the Isthmian League South East Premier Division.

In the first ever meeting between the two teams, the visitors, who were only formed in 2016, enjoyed a memorable day. Although there wasn’t dancing on the streets of Hashtag, their supporters went home very happy after a comprehensive win.

Matty Vigor, returning from injury, had a shot deflected wide for a Millers’ corner but it did not work out in the hosts’ favour. Misha Djemaili cleared it out to Matthew Wooldridge and started his run to the other end. Wooldridge exchanged passes with Josh Osude and burst down the left before crossing low to Djemaili to slip it inside the far post.

Wooldridge then cut in and decided to going alone, firing it high out of the ground, before Cray had a chance when Funmi Shomotun crossed to the far post to Michael Ademiluyi who couldn’t find the target with his header.

Shomotun was again the creator when he slipped Vigor through. His shot was well saved by Jack Giddens and when it was recycled by Ademiluyi, it was just out of the reach of Freddie Parker. Osude then went on a powerful run for the visitors before pulling it back to Wooldridge, and he drew a great save out of Max Ovenden.

Another Cray corner was headed over by Cem Tumkaya before a Danny Waldren low shot was saved comfortably by Giddens. Just before half tine, the hosts had one more chance when Dan Bowry sent Shomotun away down the left. His trickery eased him past his man before his powerful shot towards the near post was beaten out by Giddens.

When the two teams came out for the second period, the Millers hoped that playing down the slope would prove advantageous. However, four minutes after the restart that proved not to be the case. Osude was again involved when he went on a long run into the penalty area. Tumkaya came across and made a good tackle but it squeezed out to Luke May-Parrott, and he fired home.

Ademiluyi tried to create a chance for Parker however, it came awkwardly to it and he could only try and lift it over Giddens who made a comfortable catch. Parrott-May then burst through for the visitors and tried to slot past Ovenden but he got his fingertips to hit and pushed it onto the post and out. From the corner, Mert Apat went for a bicycle kick that was headed off the line by Tumkaya.

Shortly after the hour mark, the visitors scored a third. Although Ovenden did well to save from Max Cornhill, Hashtag were again quickest to the rebound and Osude finished from close range.

Giddens made an excellent block from Tumkaya only to be beaten by the Millers centre-back when it came back. However, the eagle-eyed assistant referee had spotted an offside and it didn’t count.

Steve McKimm, the Cray manager, made a quadruple change but it was Hashtag who scored again five minutes later. Ayo Olukoga and May-Parrott combined to find Djemaili and he played in Osude who finished confidently for his second goal of the afternoon.

Julien Anau had a shot save by Giddens before shooting wide with his follow up then Cray pulled one back from a corner. It bobbled around in the penalty area before Parker bundled it home.

Waldren then went wide when hooking over his own head before Osude burst through only to be thwarted by a good block by Ovenden.

Tumkaya’s long through pass almost sent Adam Coombes clear but it just got away from him and Giddens tidied up.

Three minutes of stoppage time were on the clock and as he had been in the four previous goals, Osude was involved. He again burst through and once more, only Ovenden stood between him and a hat-trick. Although, the Cray custodian did well to save, Olukoga was first to the rebound to put it away.

Despite suffering their heaviest league defeat since their step five days, the Millers are still in fourth place in the Isthmian Premier Division, and are still very well placed for a second half of the season push for the play-offs.

Cray Valley PM: Ovenden, Williams, Chambers (McKimm 85), Waldren, Tumkaya, Bowry, Ademiluyi (Coker 66), Beere (Coombes 66), Parker, Vigor (Anau 66), Shomotun (Barrington 66). Unused subs: None.

Goalscorers: Parker (78)

Yellow cards: Williams (63 foul)

Hashtag United: Giddens, Anderson, Rusoke, Wooldridge, Apat, Smith, Aromolaran (Olukoga 63), Cornhill, May-Parrott (Hayson 80), Djemaili (Bolovan 90+4), Osude (Day 90+4). Sub not used: Hassan.

Goal scorers: Djemaili (14), May-Parrott (49), Osude (62), (71), Olkoga (90+3)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Michael Scott

Assistants: Andrew Crossley and Tony King

Attendance: 318

Images courtesy of Romana Rule