Matt Vigor’s late goal gave Cray Valley (PM) victory over Welling United in a pre-season friendly.

It took less than a minute for the Millers to go ahead when Hassan Ibrahiym let fly from thirty-five yards with a shot that gave Welling goalkeeper Javarn Pitterson no chance.

Almost immediately Anointed Chukwu thought that he had levelled when getting on the end of an excellent pass by Reece Grant and finishing well only to have his effort chalked out.

Grant’s energy then forced goalkeeper Max Ovenden into a mistake when the Wings’ striker dispossessed him only for his shot to come back off the post. Grant again came close when drilling a shot into the side netting.

Michael Ademiluyi then tried his luck for Cray but his shot from the edge of the area flew wide of the near post.

Another Welling chance came and went when Oscar Borg burst down the wing and sent over a brilliant cross that Chukwu met with a first time close range volley that flew wide.

Ibrahimy almost finished the half how he started it when he made space for himself on the edge of the penalty area and saw his shot fly back off the crossbar.

After the break, the hosts looked the more in control and came close when a good move put Ademiluyi in behind but he fired over. He had another effort when Lyle Della-Verde’s corner was cleared to him just outside the area but, again, he failed to keep his effort down.

Millers’ substitute Freddie Parker also got under a shot and it flew well over before an Ibrahiym effort was deflected into the side netting. Ademiluyi had another effort and, this time, was on target but Pitterson held on well.

Two Welling substitutes then combined to draw the Wings level with just over fifteen minutes remaining. Cameron Andrews found Gene Kennedy in the area and he cut back before placing his shot in the bottom corner.

Seven minutes remained when Cray went back ahead. Danny Waldren’s shot was blocked as far as Vigor and he made no mistake from ten yards.

Moments later, the Wings had a great chance to level again. Andrews intercepted a pass out and played it quickly to Kennedy who threaded Chukwu through for a one-on-one with the Millers’ substitute trialist goalkeeper but having drawn him out, he pushed his effort wide.

That proved to be the last clear cut chance before the referee drew the proceedings to a close.

Cray Valley (PM): Ovenden, Williams, Asiedu, Della-Verde, Tumkaya, Lee, Coker, Vigor, Barrington, Ibrahiym, Ademiluyi. Subs: Trialist, Chambers, Oshilaja, Waldren, Parker.

Goalscorers: Ibrahiym (1), Vigor (83)

Welling United: Pitterson, Johnson, Borg, Birchall, Trialist, Wells, Munns, A. Grant, Chukwu, R. Grant, Cornish. Subs: Lovett, Andrews, Kennedy, H. Walker, Trialist.

Goalscorer: Kennedy (73)

Images courtesy of Dave Budden