Mini Millers master Mackerel Men

Cray Valley PM's Under 18 side last night added Worthing to their list of Isthmian Youth Cup victims to lift the Trophy at a wet and windy Whitehall Lane, home of South Park Reigate.

The young Millers had already disposed of Tonbridge Angels, Kingstonian, Maidstone United and Welling United to reach this stage, but last night was undoubtedly their toughest task yet. Opponents Worthing, top of the South Division, had scored eighty eight goals in fifteen matches, whilst the Millers had conceded only five goals in thirteen, so this looked very much like a case of irresistible force v immovable object, but in the first half it was Cray Valley who managed to be both irresistible and immovable.

They went ahead as early as the third minute, Obinna Igwe finding the bottom corner, and doubled their advantage less than a quarter of an hour later, Malachy Turner's shot from distance taking a heavy deflection on its way in.

The side from the seaside did their best to strike back, but were repelled by their opponents until nineteen minutes from time, when a long range Evan Hoarty effort halved the arrears and gave them hope. They pushed and pushed during the closing stages, but to no avail, and it was the side in Green who took the triumph.

Both sides will now return to the business of trying to win the title, whilst their senior sides also push for promotion- so it could be a fine end to the season at both the Artic Stadium and Woodside Road.

Congratulations to the young Millers- who also provided our photograph.

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