Two goals in each half guided Cray Valley (PM) to a four-nil bank holiday local derby victory at VCD Athletic.

Chris Lewington was the busier of the two goalkeepers early on as the Vickers looked to make their home advantage count. First he pushed out a deep cross by Khanye Makhosini before having to be watchful to claim a Karl Dent free kick that came through a sea of legs.

Adam Coombes had the Millers’ first effort with a shot that was blocked wide. Kershaney Samuels delivered the corner and Mitchell Nelson lost his marker but could not keep his header down.

Moments later, the visitors went ahead. Jack Holland brought down Ade Adeyemo in the eighteen-yard box and a penalty was awarded. Coombes made no mistake from the spot.

Dent twice tried his luck from distance, both bringing out regulation saves from Lewington before the Millers doubled their lead. Denzel Gayle burst through and found Dan Bennett. He played it on to Adeyemo whose fierce drive beat Harry Brook, the Vickers goalkeeper.

Just before the half time break, Adeyemo drove an effort across the face of goal, but nobody was able to apply the final touch.

Early in the second half a Jack Mahony drive was deflected towards the bottom corner and Lewington did well to get round and push it round the post before Gayle surged forward at the other end but belted his shot wide of the near post.

Brook then made a great block to deny Bennett who was clean through before the visitors had another chance. Barney Williams went on a long run and picked out Coombes but he glanced his header wide.

In their next attack, the Millers increased their lead. Gayle slung over a deep cross from the right and Bennett met it with a first-time volley that flew in at the near post.

Dent tried his luck again with a free kick that flew back off the bar and when his low shot drew a good save from Lewington soon after.

Muraino Banjoko shot over from twenty yards, but it was Cray who added a fourth in the third minute of stoppage time. With the Vickers having pushed players forward, they were left short at the back and Gayle broke through and finished calmly by slotting into the bottom corner.

To their credit VCD kept going to the end and they had one more effort that required Lewington’s intervention. Soul Kader’s free kick was on target, but the Millers’ goalkeeper was equal to it with another good save.

Defeat for the Vickers resulted in them dropping down two places in the league while Cray Valley eased their way into third place.

VCD Athletic: Brooks, Holland, Tolupe, Bingham, Bath, Oluwafikayo, Makhosini, Mahony (Ross 85), Kader, Dent (Allassani 73), Tanner (Banjoko 60).

Subs not used: Phillips, McNeill-Nash.

Goal scorers: None

Yellow cards: Makhosini

Cray Valley (PM): Lewington, Williams, Chambers, Samuels, Nelson, Tumkaya, Gayle, Bennett, Adeyemo (Anau 75), Coombes (Ibrahyim 60), Black.

Unused subs: Dymond, Assam, Majekodunmi.

Goalscorers: Coombes pen (27), Adeyemo (36), Bennett (59), Gayle (90+)

Yellow cards: Nelson

Referee: Joseph Dann-Pye

Assistants: Gavin Bailey and Andrew Crossley

Attendance: 200

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.