“If you keep knocking on the door, eventually it’ll open”. Words that every Millers player and supporter had to believe as the clock ticked past 90 minutes in this exciting encounter at a chilly Church Road.
And sure enough on 94 minutes it did, as new signing Sam Hasler’s low, skidding free kick, evaded Leafe keeper Tyler McCarthy’s right hand to give Cray Valley a deserved share of the points.
After dominating large periods of play and carving out the lions’ share of the chances, a draw was the least The Millers were worthy of after the hosts led 2-0 at half time against the run of play.
Millers started the game minus the injured Liam Hickey and Connnor Dymond – Danny Smith and newcomer Hasler coming into the side – while up front, the return of Ade Yusuff meant a bench start for Francis Babalola – youngster Ade Adeyemo retaining his place after Tuesday’s defeat against Faversham Town.
Despite the game starting as it was to go on – Valley dominating play with Hasler and winger Denzel Gayle teasing the Leafe goals with a series of tantalising crosses from the right – it was Whyteleafe who took a 27th minute lead.
After Valley midfielder Keiron McCann lost possession in midfield, the ball was passed through to former Corinthian-Casuals misfit Omari Hibbert who fired left footed past Millers’ custodian Andy Walker from within the 18 yard box.
Stung by this, Valley continued to press as the Leafe goal enjoyed a somewhat charmed life – keeper Tyler McCarthy performing several excellent stops.
The lead was however extended by the hosts in the 40th minute.
Millers’ defender Cem Tumkaya was dispossessed by Aaron Watson on the half way line. The Leafe striker found leading scorer Ryan Gondoh whose shot eventually found it’s way to Hibbert who fired in his, and Leafe’s second.
The Millers replaced wing-back Smith with striker Babalola at half time – Adeyemo taking up a more withdrawn role behind the front two, with McCann moving over to the left.
Cray Valley continued to pepper the home goal as the second half proceeded – Hasler having a curling effort well saved by McCarthy, with another dangerous cross from the right narrowly evading the head of Yusuff.
As Yusuff’s low shot was saved by McCarthy’s legs after being played in by Adeyemo, it looked increasingly like it was going to be “one of those days” until excellent work on the left by McCann saw the ball break to Hasler on the edge of the area. Hasler fired in a low right footed drive beyond McCarthy’s right hand to nestle in the corner of the net.
The Leafe goal continued to have a charmed life as the ever dominant McCann threatened on the left, with Hasler continuing to provide the creative spark in midfield. Adeyemo slotted in well to his central role, winning posession and supplying the front line as pressure on McCarthy’s goal mounted.
With 4 of the 5 minutes “additional time” on the clock, Millers won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
Up stepped new man Hasler to fire past McCarthy to secure what could prove to be a valuable point come the final reckoning.
After the game, Millers coach Kevin James hailed the performance of former Folkestone man Hasler as “one of the best midfield performances I’ve seen in my time at this Club.”
Manager Kevin Watson described the performance as “an improvement on Tuesday against Faversham, but we left ourselves too big a task after conceding two goals through poor collective defending and losses of possession”.
Looking ahead, he said “if we want to have the impact desired in this league, we must learn quickly how to control, and win games. Elements of our game are still strong, but we need better consistency over the full 90 minutes.”
MILLERS’ STAR MAN – Sam Hasler
MATCH RATING – ****
LEAFE : McCarthy, Thompson, Olorunnisome, Graham, McGeoghegan, Douglas, Mensah, Orome, Watson (Walker-Barth 82) , Gondoh (Sesay 53), Hibbert (Palmer 61)
MILLERS : A.Walker, Smith (Babalola 45), Sains, Tumkaya, Gayle, Adeyemo, McCann (King-Elliot 78), Hasler, Morath-Gibbs (Dymond 66), Ibrahiym, Yusuff
Not Used : Farmer, Docherty
Images courtesy of Dave Cumberbatch