Veteran striker Kevin Lisbie scored the goal that proved to be the difference in an entertaining game between Erith Town and Cray Valley PM.

Four goals in the last fifteen minutes of the first half left the scores tied, but the former Charlton Athletic favourite showed his class with a second half winner and Cray Valley went home with all three points.

Sam Bailey had an early attempt for the Millers but shot over from outside the penalty area then Joe N’Guessen fired a low drive wide.

At the other end Steven Ita’s shot took a deflection but looped kindly for Phil Wilson to claim.

Denzel Gayle spun and shot wide for Cray but the defences stood firm until fifteen minutes before the interval.

Ken Charles intercepted a stray pass and burst down the wing before cutting inside and firing a shot beyond Wilson and inside the far post.

However, the Dockers’ lead didn’t last long. Matt Parsons’ shot came back off the post and Alex Nelson followed up with a crisp finish.

Nelson then turned provider when finding Gayle and his shot took a wicked deflection to loop over  a stranded Adam Molloy.

To their credit, Erith came back immediately and Jim Day was in the right place at the right time to finish as Cray struggled to clear.

Gayle cut in and had a shot saved by Molloy and the Erith keeper was again called into action to save from N’Guessen who then shot wide after Lisbie had pulled it back.

Mayowa Olufeko had the last chance of the half for Erith but shot into the side netting.

After the break Parsons had a shot saved at the near post before hitting another wildly off target.

Nearly twenty second half minutes had elapsed when Lisbie scored what turned out to be the winner. He waltzed his way across the penalty area to make the space to fire home.

Parsons curled wide of the far post before the game became fragmented with multiple substitutions. Amongst them all, Sydney Warden fired a free kick just wide for Erith.

As the game moved into the latter stages, Olufeko headed wide from Molloy’s free kick before Jack White’s run and shot ended with a good save from Molloy at the expense of a corner. When that came in Lisbie headed wide at the near post.

Day had the last chance for Erith but his flick header from Warden’s free kick was saved.

Although the result won’t have a great bearing on the overall outcome of the season, both clubs have exciting events to anticipate. Cray Valley have a London Senior Cup Final pending whilst Erith continue to plan for a return to their home town next season.

 

Erith Town: Molloy, Lovatt (Tobon 71), Fairweather-Oates, Day, Fitchett, Hooper Bray, Hulme, Olufeko, Ita (Callender 79), Charles (Warden 66).

Subs not used: Mitchell.

 

Cray Valley PM: Wilson, Dobson, Parsons, White, Tumkaya, Glover, Gayle (Allen 75), Nelson, N’Guessen (Flack 75), Lisbie, Bailey (Adjei 66).

Sub not used: Sains.

 

Erith Town:

Goalscorers: Charles (30), Day (41)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

 

Whitstable Town:

Goalscorers: Nelson (37), Gayle (39), Lisbie (64)

Yellow cards: Flack

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Notis Liappis

Assistants: Joshua Marshall and Sam Hayon

 

Attendance: 55

 

Man of the Match: Matt Parsons