Cray Valley (PM) 2-2 Broadbridge Heath

The Bears first ever visit to the Artic Stadium, home of Cray Valley PM for our very first away fixture in the Pitching In Isthmian League. Heath manger Chris Simmons made three changes to the side. Skipper Ryan Brackpool was back along with goalkeeper Roshan Greensall while there was a start for Mario Quiassaca in for the unavailable Ashley Mutongerwa.

The home-side had the perfect start taking the lead within 2mins play when a through ball from Kyrell Lisbie found Matt Vigor in space and the striker skipped over a Lewis Scally challenge to run through and strike a right foot shot high into the roof of the net beyond Roshan Greensall’s grasp.

Heath gradually fought their way back into the game with Jack Frankland going close midway through the half following a solo run which ended with a right foot shot off the outside of his boot which had the hosts keeper scrambling across his goal and grateful to see the ball go wide of the post.

The equaliser came from the old style Route One, a long kick forward from Greensall should have been cleared by the Cray defender Jenson Grant but his mistake allowed Jake Lindsey in and the young striker finished with aplomb to make it 1-1 at the break,

The start to the second half mirrored the first with the hosts winning an early corner, Heath had chances to clear their lines but the ball was worked well down the left, played back into the box to Grant who smashed it home in his stride from close range. Both sides had chances to add to the score but neither really troubled the keeper’s.

The balance of the game changed on 75mins when the hosts were reduced to 10-men, not sure exactly what happened but can only assume their central defender Kiki Oshilaja said something to offend the Match Referee.

Heath continued to push forward in search of the equaliser and were awarded a penalty on 82mins when a clumsy challenge brought Brad Campbell crashing to the ground. Skipper Brackpool stepped up for the spot kick and coolly converted sending the Cray keeper the wrong way.

So our first ever away match in the Pitching In Isthmian League ends in a draw and on the balance of play probably a fair result.

Next up for the Bears is the 2nd visit in 8-days of Chichester City to the BodyMould Community Stadium on Monday 28th August at 3.00.

Team: Greensall, Frankland, Chesworth, Scally (Evans 63), Bromage, Brackpool, Weller, Penfold, Quiassaca (Campbell 64), Parmiter (Kowalczyk 77), Lindsey.