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Sport

Cray Valley striker Gavin Tomlin looking forward to returning to Wembley for FA Vase final

By: Mark Stokes

Published: 00:00, 26 March 2019

Gavin Tomlin says reaching the FA Vase final with Cray Valley is definitely a career highlight.

The former Gillingham striker scored the Millers goal in the 1-1 semi-final second leg draw with Canterbury City at Salters Lane on Saturday.

The result took Kevin Watson's side through 2-1 on aggregate and they will now face either Northwich Victoria or Chertsey at Wembley on Sunday, May 19.

Gavin Tomlin scores the goal which put Cray Valley ahead in their FA Vase semi-final second leg against Canterbury City at Salters Lane on Saturday Picture: Keith Gillard

Tomlin, 35, has played at the national stadium before, being a member of the Southend side beaten 2-0 by Crewe in the 2013 Football League Trophy final, and he is keen to put the record straight.

He said: "Obviously we'll celebrate today. Days like this don't come often so you've got to savour the moment and the boys will make sure they do that.

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"For me it's come in such a short space of time. I've been at the club just over a month so to get this opportunity to go back there again, me and (fellow striker) Kevin Lisbie are talking about it.

"We've both been there before, but we lost, me with Southend and Kevin with Leyton Orient when they went 2-0 up and lost 3-2 (to Rotherham in the 2014 League 1 promotion play-off final), so it will be good to go there and reverse those results and win."

Tomlin's 71st minute goal put the Millers 2-0 ahead on aggregate and although Gary Sayer's 89th minute reply set up a tense climax the experienced forward was always confident Valley would hold on.

He said: "I was quite fortunate today, I had a few half-chances I didn't really make the most of and that one fell luckily for me, and I was able to put it away.

Cray celebrate Gavin Tomlin's goal against Canterbury on Saturday Picture: Keith Gillard

"At 2-0 up we were comfortable but then they got the goal and it's a case of right we've got to defend because there was not much time left in the game.

"The boys had been brilliant all game, it was just one slip, all of the set plays, all of the throws we'd defended them well all game.

"For one incident to happen like that, you don't really expect two especially the way we defended.

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"Canterbury did really well over the two legs, I've got to give them credit.

"They kind of stifled our play, they were really competitive and they worked pretty hard. Credit to them but fortunately we got through.

"It's mixed emotions (at the end), you're tired, it's been a long journey to even get to this point.

"You look at what the boys have done even prior to me getting to the club, it's kind of mixed emotions, but at the end of the day everyone is happy we're there.

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