Cray Valley reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time with an emphatic victory over Southern League side Harrow Borough.

The Eltham based side were in control for large periods of the game and thought they’d taken the lead on eighteen minutes when Matthew A-Warren crossed for Ade Yusuff to head home, only for the linesman to have his flag up.

Harrow Borough responded in turn with Liam Ferdinand rounding Andy Walker in goal and being denied by Tumkaya on the line, Ferdinand then found Michael Bryan who took a touch, but again found Tumkaya who made a second superb block inside 10 seconds.

Cray Valley did take the lead midway through the half after Ade Yusuff was bought down for a spot kick. A decision that led to an exchange of views between the home fans & the away bench. He picked himself up & sent the penalty low to the keepers left for 1-0.

This seemed to galvanise Borough and they were level after a clear push on Bryan had referee Lawrence Torz-Brown again pointing to the spot. Frank Keita stepped up and just about squeezed the ball in low and to Andy Walker’s right. 1-1 on the stroke of half time.

The second period began & from kick off the Millers surged forward. Denzel Gayle finding Hassan Ibrahiym who was wiped out for the games 3rd penalty, less than 30 seconds after the restart. Yusuff stepped up and blasted miles over the bar.

However, Cray Valley were dominant and pushed for a goal to retake the lead. A corner on fifty seven minutes was only half cleared to Ibrahiym who took a touch and crossed for Conor Dymond to head home at the far post for 2-1. A deserved lead on the balance of play.

This seemed to put The Millers well and truly into their stride and they were 2 goals to the good soon after. A superb team move involving A-Warren, McCann, Babalola, Ibrahiym & finally Gayle who fired home from 20 yards to make it 3-1 with just over an hour played.

Cray could have been even further in front within 90 seconds of the restart but Yusuff fired wide when well placed.

With just over 10 minutes to go Kevin Watson introduced Ade Adeyemo who got on the end of a long ball forward with a superb first touch. Evading the attentions of Ben Tricker he burst into the area and fired just out of the reach of Matthew Hall in goal for 4-1. Adeyemo’s first involvement having been on the pitch for less than 2 minutes.

Matthew A-Warren completed the rout with 6 minutes remaining. Picking the ball up and coming forward before striking straight at Hall who couldn’t hold, A-Warren quickly adjusted his feet and produced a sublime improvised backheel to cap a truly 5 star performance for the visitors.

Cray Valley now await the outcome of the draw for the third qualifying round to see who they’ll face in just over a weeks time. Having confidently seen off their hosts from a higher league.

Harrow Borough: Hall, Moore, (O’Connor 77) C.Cole, Tricker, Jaffa (C), L.Cole, (Matthew 63) Maloney, Ireland, Ferdinand, Bryan, Keita

Not used: Charles-Smith, Purdue, Owusu-Barnieh, Griffith-Dunbar

Scorers: Keita (45 Pen)

Bookings: L.Cole (51) Maloney (55)

CVPM: Walker (C), Dymond, A-Warren, Sains, Tumkaya, Gayle, (King-Elliott 66) Babalola, McCann, Morath-Gibbs, (Hickey 46), Ibrahyim, Yusuff (Adeyemo 77)

Not used: Flack, Farmer, Kempston, Smith.

Scorers: Yusuff (33 Pen) Dymond (57) Gayle (61) Adeyemo (79) A-Warren (84)
Bookings: None
Referee: Lawrence Torz-Brown

Images courtesy of Dave Cumberbatch