Cray Valley (PM) opened season 2020/21 in style with this comprehensive victory over local rivals VCD Athletic.

That Vickers’ custodian Nick Blue took the plaudits with at least 3 outstanding saves, is further illustration of an outstanding attacking performance from Kevin Watson’s charges.

Attacking the Quaggy End of the Artic Stadium in the first half, the Millers tore into their fellow “Pitching In Isthmian League South East” opponents from the off, displaying pace and power in abundance.

It didn’t take long for the scoring to start – Danny Smith’s 12^th minute corner finding the head of “birthday boy” Connor Dymond mid-way in the penalty area. Dymond’s header beat Blue for a rare goal to set the hosts on their way.  

Dymond then saw a shot hit the underside of the bar after Ade Yusuff’s header was turned away for a 16^th minute corner by Blue.

The lead was extended in the 24^th minute as newcomer Yusuff opened his Millers account – slotting home Babalola’s right wing cross from 6 yards.

Hassan Ibrahiym made it 3, cutting back from the VCD byeline before firing low past Blue from 12 yards.

Any half time roasting from Vickers’ boss Nick Davis was extinguished just 7 minutes after the break, as Ibrahiym put Yusuff through to surely put the tie beyond recall.

Striker Yusuff then turned supplier just before the hour – his strong run seeing him draw the advancing Blue before returning the compliment to Babalola who made it five.

As the life drained from the visitors, Valley created more goalscoring opportunities – Blue continuing to deny their efforts as Ade Adeyemo and Denzel Gayle went close –, before Gayle burst down the right wing, crossing for Adeyemo to make it 6 in the 83^rd minute.

There was still time for Blue to deny Yusuff a deserved hat-trick before Referee Ivan Gelov brought a close to proceedings.

So The Millers move on to the First Qualifying Round, leaving their crest fallen opponents to regroup as the League season beckons.

MILLERS : A.Walker, Dymond, Smith, Hickey, Tumkaya (Sains 55), Gayle, Babalola (Adeyemo 65), Morath-Gibbs, Warren (Farmer 74), Ibrahiym, Yusuff

Not Used ; Flack, F.Walker, Docherty, King-Elliot

VICKERS : Blue, Fray (Fisher 52), Probets, Hopkins, Barry, Oshilaja, El-Mogharbel, Dawson, Vines, Hysi (Elliott 52), Hudson (Falade 81)

Not Used ; Patterson, Griffiths, McKenzie, Mills

Att: 182

Images courtesy of Dave Cumberbatch