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FA Trophy First Round: 10-man Chatham lose to Cray Valley, Cray Wanderers win on penalties - Isthmian South East: Rowan Liburd lifts Sevenoaks up to third

19:56, 28 October 2023

updated: 17:50, 29 October 2023

Chatham keeper Ben Bridle-Card saw red as his team were knocked out of the FA Trophy First Round by Cray Valley on Saturday.

Denzel Gayle put Cray in charge on the hour and Matt Bodkin had to take over in goal for the final moments after a heated exchange saw Bridle-Card sent off. He was unable to prevent Malachy Turner adding a second goal in stoppage time to seal Cray’s progress.

Tempers fray towards the end of the game as Chatham goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card gets a late red card in their 2-0 FA Trophy defeat to lower-division Cray Valley on Saturday. Picture: Max English @max_ePhotos
Tempers fray towards the end of the game as Chatham goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card gets a late red card in their 2-0 FA Trophy defeat to lower-division Cray Valley on Saturday. Picture: Max English @max_ePhotos

Hythe’s game at home to Ramsgate was postponed on Saturday morning due to a waterlogged pitch, the teams will try again on Tuesday night.

Cray Wanderers will be in Monday’s draw after letting a two-goal lead slip at home to Chesham United before going through on penalties.

Ellis Brown and Gary Lockyer put Cray in charge with two goals in four first-half minutes.

But Rhys Murrell-Williamson pulled one back and Zak Joseph made it 2-2. Frankie Raymond restored Cray’s lead but Murrell-Williamson scored his second against his former club in the last minute to take the tie to penalties.

Cray scored all five of their spot-kicks, with the unfortunate Murrell-Williamson going from hero to zero after Cray keeper Shaun Rowley kept out his spot-kick.

Veteran Matt Bodkin finished the game in goal for Chats. Picture: Max English @max_ePhotos
Veteran Matt Bodkin finished the game in goal for Chats. Picture: Max English @max_ePhotos

Sevenoaks were one of only four Isthmian South East games to survive the wet weather and they took full advantage on their 3G pitch at Greatness Park.

Rowan Liburd’s first goal for the club proved enough against Chichester and lifted Sevenoaks up to third in the table.

Herne Bay sit second following a goalless draw at home to Erith & Belvedere.

Away goalkeeper Max Ovenden beats Chatham defender Reece Butler to the ball. Picture: Max English @max_ePhotos
Away goalkeeper Max Ovenden beats Chatham defender Reece Butler to the ball. Picture: Max English @max_ePhotos

With their televised FA Cup First Round tie against Walsall just six days away, Sheppey could be forgiven for having minds elsewhere as they went down 3-2 at Merstham.

Football fixtures and results

The hosts led 2-0 at the break but Alex Willis and Jack Marsh scored inside six second-half minutes to make it 2-2, only for Lorenzo Lewis to net his second of the afternoon on the hour to claim the points for the hosts.

Ashford’s trip to Horndean and Phoenix Sports’ match at Burgess Hill were both postponed due to the weather.

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