Despite conceding in the opening minutes Cray Valley PM progressed to the quarter finals of the F.A. Vase with victory over ten man Abbey Rangers.

Coming into the game, the Millers had kept four consecutive clean sheets and had won their last seven league and cup matches.

Although the early goal was not an ideal start, Millers manager Kevin Watson was not unduly concerned. “It was a wake up call.” he said. “I thought they started very well. I don’t think we started very well but there was long enough at that point to get back into the game.

“I’ll be honest, when they went one-nil up, I didn’t over-panic. I know that we’ve got some goals in us and ironically it has not been the worst thing for us but I’d prefer not to go one down. I think that when we scored the goal it came at a good time and the second goal came at a good time.”

By the time Cray levelled after fifteen minutes, they had drawn into the game and made some luck for themselves when Denzel Gayle blocked a clearance and it looped over Liam Stone in the Abbey Rangers goal, and into the net. “It was quite fortunate but you take them.” admitted Watson. “We haven’t been fortunate in those sort of circumstances many times this season.”

Then the second goal was a cracker by new signing Gavin Tomlin to extend his run to three goals in three games since signing from Dulwich Hamlet. “We know he’s got quality.” said Watson. “That’s why we signed him. We’ve got a good squad and we’re only going to bring players in that can improve it so they’ve got to be of a good quality and a good standard. Above all, he’s got a good attitude and that was important.”

After the interval, the visitors were reduced to ten men to make their task that much more difficult. “It was a red card.” agreed Watson. “You can think it was unfortunate for them but the build up play to get to that position, he (Anthony Edgar)’s through on goal.

“Having said that, we weren’t great when they went down to ten men.” continued Watson. “It was all about trying to manage the game. It was tough, tough conditions out there. The weather’s not been great. The pitch isn’t in great condition.”

Not finishing the game off meant that the visitors still had a chance of getting back into it and Watson admitted “The game was going to open up. They’ve got ten men and they’re chasing the game but still they had a number of chances, or half chances, balls in the box and things like that but fair play to them, they didn’t give up. They’re a good side.”

Eventually substitute Frances Babalola finished the contest with a good finish shortly after hitting the bar. Watson added “Great lad, great player. I’m frustrated for him because he hasn’t started a couple of games recently. He’s been a massive part of our campaign this season and will continue to be.

“I’m very conscious of the boys that are on the bench and are not getting minutes but bring them on and they’ve got a good attitude. They’ll be disappointed not to start but they could start the next game

or in the quarter final. Gavin came off, he had a bit of an injury but you bring on people of the calibre like Frances, off the calibre like Josh James. It’s important that we’ve got a squad to utilise.”

Although his priority is promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League, the team has already exceeded the club’s previous best ever F.A. Vase campaign and Watson is delighted for everyone at the club. “Let’s see what the draw throws up.” he said.

“It’s a good competition for clubs at this level. The realities of the F.A. Cup, you’re only going to go so far. We had quite a good run in it this season but to get to the quarter finals (of the F.A. Vase) is a really good achievement. It sets a benchmark in terms of history for the club and I’m pleased that it’s this group of players that have experienced that.”.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.