Cray Valley (PM) U23 Development side kicked off their Bluefin Sports Insurance League campaign with a resounding 5-0 victory over East Grinstead (The Wasps) at The Artic Stadium.

The first of five consecutive Wednesday evening home matches and if the level of entertainment on offer is maintained then well worth blocking your diaries out now.

The Young Millers couldn’t have asked for a better start and whilst there had been some encouraging signs in pre-season to find themselves three goals ahead after nine minutes probably surpassed expectations.

The lack of detail on the goals I’m afraid was partly due to the fact they were at the Quaggy End of the ground some distance from me and the fact I was still assisting the track and trace for a few latecomers into the ground.

A healthy turn out of 51 paying just £3 each certainly got their money’s worth.

The opening goal was a penalty converted by Harrison Kempston quickly followed by a second from Ryan James.

There was barely time to tweet the first two when a third was added with Harrison Kempston scoring his second to add to his penalty. 3-0 after 9 minutes.

Fifteen on the clock and it was 4-0, Harrison Kempster getting to the bi line pulling the ball back for Ryan James to tap home for his second of the game.

To their credit despite the shock start The Wasps battled well and indeed throughout the rest of the game there was certainly no drop of the heads. Half time was reached without further addition to the scoring. 4-0

The Millers added a fifth on 65 minutes, a penalty given for handball which Lewis Cotter neatly dispatched low into the bottom corner sending the keeper the wrong way 5-0.

Following the award of the penalty a Wasps player was red carded I assume for something he said. Abdul Aziz Sankoh for the Millers hit a cracking free kick from just outside the box which crashed against the crossbar on eighty-five minutes was the nearest the Millers came to adding another goal.

Two minutes from time young Harrison Kempston went from hero to villain as he picked up a second yellow card for petulantly throwing the ball away.

A player with a bright future I am sure and part of the learning curve will be the need to control his reactions.

It does mean though he will miss next Wednesday’s home match v Tooting & Mitcham at The Artic Stadium. Kick off 7.45pm.

Promises to be a good test for the young Millers, Tooting & Mitcham having won 5-1 at Phoenix Sports in their opening league game on Tuesday.

Images courtesy of Dave Cumberbatch