For all their possession and goalbound efforts, the early season “freescoring” Millers drew a second consecutive blank at relegation threatened Phoenix Sports.
With Chris Lewington returning between the sticks following illness, Matt Warren replaced Jack Sammoutis in midfield as the game mirrored Valley’s previous league outing against East Grinstead Town with one team desperate to win while the opposition were content with avoiding defeat.
And again, the Millers were unable to convert one of many chances that came their way
Valley’s first chance of note came in the 20th minute as Cem Tumkaya headed Nathan Green’s corner against the bar – the resultant melee in the six yard box coming to nothing.
Sports retaliated shortly after when Alfie Evans’ effort from a pass by Steve Carvell was well kept out by the feet of Lewington, before Tumkaya again went close for the visitors.
Green’s corner was played short to Warren whose cross found Tumkaya at the far post. The tall defender’s header was kept out superbly by experienced Sports keeper Steve Phillips.
Shortly after the interval, it was again the woodwork that denied Valley – Green’s low 25 yard drive beat Phillips before smacking against the far post and out to safety.
Midway through the second half, it was the turn of Francis Babalola to go close – his far post header from Ade Adeyemo’s cross again beating Phillips before striking the frame of the goal.
A spell of sustained Valley pressure saw Hassan Ibrahiym’s low shot deflected for a corner,before Adeyemo had an effort saved low down by Phillips.
13 minutes from the end, Ibrahiym was scythed down on the halfway line by Josh Dorling – earning the Sports defender a yellow card – before Green assumed possession and found the head of Warren – again Phillips denying the effort.
Reactions on referee Karl Sear’s final whistle summed up the outcome as Sports celebrated an unexpected point in their fight to avoid the drop while Valley, once again, were left to rue several missed opportunities.
MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – NATHAN GREEN – Many of Valley’s goal bound efforts stemmed from the quality and industry of the hard working left sided player.
MATCH RATING: – ****
SPORTS : Phillips, Douglas, Cousins, Clark ©, Adeyemi, Dorling, Valler (O’Connor 75), Toussaint, Poku (Adedoyin 75), Carvell, Evans (Bird 87)
Not Used : Whitelock, Walker
Cautions : Toussaint, Dorling
MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond ©, Green, Semakula, Tumkaya, Barrington, Adeyemo (Hill 75), Babalola (Gayle 75), Brefo, Warren, Ibrahiym
Not Used : Blanks, Sammoutis, Day
Referee – Karl Sear
Assistants – Craig Charles and John Duffy
Pic – Sports keeper Steve Phillips feels the heat as Valley pile on the pressure in Barnehurst
Photo and Video highlights by Michael Brown – @BSportsphotos
Match highlights can be found at :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIXdZjysjh4
Attendance: 238