Erith & Belvedere 1 Cray Valley PM 2

It was a bitter pill for the Deres to swallow going down 2-1 in the first leg of the Macron SCEFL Challenge Cup Semi Final against Cray Valley PM thanks to a last minute goal from man of the match Brad Potter.

The first half was a story of half chances with either team looking like they could take the lead but was just missing that final flurry in the opposition penalty area, the Deres were playing with a free flowing attacking flair being directed by Ashley Robinson with a inch perfect pass the first chance fell to Marcus Cassius but Millers keeper Rob French made a good save to deny the striker.

One minute later Cray Valley had their first chance with a drilled cross that was turned over by Rory Hill from five yards, it was harder to miss that score that was a massive let off for the Deres.

In the 40th minute Cray Valley had two great chances to take the lead, a whipped free kick was palmed out by Ashley Bourne and from the resulting corner Ennis Fyffe was forced to make a great goal line clearance to deny Brad Potter.

The Deres had two chances in first half stoppage time but Marcus Cassius forced another good save from Rob French and then Aaron Fray missed a dream chance to put the Deres in front but his volley from five yards cleared the crossbar like the visitors chance in the 19th minute the fans couldn't believe the ball didn't end up in the net.

Half Time: Erith & Belvedere 0 Cray Valley PM 0

It took just ten minutes in the second half for the breakthrough to finally come again it was a perfect passing move started by Ashley Robinson saw Ennis Fyffe race clear to round the keeper and slot the ball home.

The game then begun to get scrappy with Adam Gross going into the book for a strong challenge on Romario Hart and the chances seemed to dry up with the ball getting bogged down in both teams midfield's.

Then in the 79th minute the Millers were level and to rub salt into the wounds it was ex Deres player Byron Walker who scored the goal the ball was crossed into the box and Walker turned away from the defender to fire a shot low into the bottom corner just out of the reach of Ashley Bourne, that would prove to be Byron Walker's last act of the game as he was subbed off right after the goal and replaced by Dean Lodge.

The final ten minutes was a nervy affair with chances for both teams meaning the draw was starting to look like a desired outcome for each team, however it would be The Millers who would have the final say in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Brad Potter was free to run from the edge of the box to head the ball home from four yards after a well placed corner by the visitors.

Full Time: Erith & Belvedere 1 Cray Valley PM 2

Upon reflection a draw would have probably been the fair result and now the Deres have it all to do in the second leg at The Badgers Sports Ground.

Deres: Bourne, Fray (c), Babatunde, Reed (Cruz 87"), Holness, Collier, Fyffe, DaSilva, Cassius, Robinson, Gayle (Hart 48")
Subs not Used: Springett, Fernandes

Goals: Hart 55"
Cautions: Gayle 22"

Millers: French, Osborne (c), A. Gross, McDonagh, Potter, Holder, Hill, Miller, Elliott, Ofusu-Hene (Warren 74"), Walker (Lodge 79")
Subs not Used: Kasai, P. Gross, Wawrezewski

Goals: Walker 79", Potter 90"
Cautions: A. Gross 64"

Referee: Leigh Judd (Tunbridge Wells)
Assistant Referees: Jamie Eacott (Walderslade) & Phil Dunkley (Nunhead)

Attendance: 43
Man of the Match: Brad Potter (Cray Valley PM)