Three second half goals ensured victory for Cray Valley (PM) over Lordswood after an even first period.

Arthur Lee had an early opportunity for the hosts after Teddy Perkins flicked on Lyle Della-Verde’s corner before Ethan Stewart had a half chance for Lordswood when collecting a loose clearance but his side foot effort was saved easily by Sam Freeman.

Freddie Parker came close for the Millers, thwarted by Ryan Neal’s clearance off the line then, at the other end, Artem Kuchkov’s half volley flashed over. Cray’s Denzel Gayle cut in from the left and shot wide of the near post but that turned out to be his last contribution as he limped off in the twentieth minute to be replaced by Michael Ademiluyi.

Sonny Block had a shot beaten out then Hassan Ibrahiym was off target with a long range shot as the Millers upped the tempo. Della-Verde had a low shot saved comfortably before the home team went ahead. Kyrell Lisbie was sent clear down the left and he was too fast and too strong for the Lordswood defence as he slotted it beyond Ivor Williams.

Ademiluyi got on the end of a defensive error but Williams was out quickly to block. However, it was not all one way and the Lords came close when Joel-Michael Odeniran’s header crashed against the post.

In the third minute of stoppage time they levelled. Stewart was felled in the box and James Jeffrey sent Freeman the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Three minutes after the break, the Millers went back ahead. Della-Verde’s deep cross picked out Lisbie whose header came back out off the post. It came out to Parker and he made no mistake with a low finish.

Just short of the hour mark, Cray made it three. Della-Verde’s excellent cross-field pass picked out Ademiluyi and his cross-cum-shot deceived Williams and flew into the net.

Ten minutes later, the Millers added a fourth through Ademiluyi, and this time, there was no doubting his intentions. He burst down the right hand side and drew Williams out before firing beyond him and inside the far post.

Although the visitors tried to get back into the game, with Stewart the main threat, Ademiluyi almost completed his hat-trick when hooking an effort that came back out off the post. 

Victory put Cray Valley into the first round where they will travel to the winners of the Uxbridge versus Corinthian Casuals replay.

Cray Valley (PM): Freeman, Asiedu, Ibrahiym, Lee, Oshilaja, Perkins, Gayle (Ademiluyi 20), Black, Parker (Coombes 67), Lisbie (Anau 78), Della-Verde. Unused subs: Chambers, Grant, Wicks, Vigor.

Goalscorers: Lisbie (34), Parker (48), Ademiluyi (58), (68)

Yellow cards: Lisbie, Oshilaja

Lordswood: Crump, Kareen, Broad, Neal, Odeniran, Risdon, Reid, Green (Ogundope 78), Jeffrey (Ajao 78), Kuchkov (Peters 67), Stewart. Subs not used: Jarvis, Mvongo, Ogundope, Sama, Sallis, Crump.

Goal scorers: Jeffrey pen (45+3)

Yellow cards: Stewart, Broad, Peters

Referee: Robert Alderman

Assistants: Ricardo Reynolds and Monica Kusemwa

Attendance: 163

Images courtesy of Romana Rule