Cray Wanderers vs Cray Valley (PM) FC – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 27th December, 3 pm – Match Preview
Cray Wanderers final game of 2025 sees the Cray Derby as the Wands welcome Cray Valley (PM) to Flamingo Park for only the second time. Kick off, 3 pm
The match pits two sides who have had a very positive 2025 but looking for points at both ends of the Isthmian Premier League table.
Cray Wanderers last Saturday briefly moved into the playoff places after a hard earned 2-1 win at Wingate & Finchley but moved down to 6th at the end of Saturday’s games but level on points with 5th placed Aveley on 35 points.
The Wands with new signing Jordy Mongoy making a positive impression were a goal down at half time and indebted to a fine penalty save from Harry Seaden just before the break. Cray were energised after half time and went in front through Alex Hernandez’ eighth goal of the season and then an own goal and the Wands defensively were strong in the final stages of the game to win the game and make it just one defeat in twelve away from home this season. Cray Wanderers though will be looking just to end the year by picking up some home points after five games without a win.
With matches against playoff contenders Brentwood Town and Aveley to come in January Cray Wanderers will be looking to end the year on a high but it will be tough challenge against a Cray Valley side who although 16th in the table have been picking up sufficient points on 26 to leave them six points off the bottom four after losing their opening three games of the season. A good run of form from mid-November picking up thirteen points just helped to ease Cray Valley away from the relegation places but have lost the last two games including a 0-2 defeat to Whitehawk last Saturday where two goals in the opening twenty minutes proved decisive. Since that defeat ex-Wands goalkeeper Shaun Rowley who joined Cray Valley at the start of the season has departed the club
Cray Valley (PM) had an exceptional first season in the Isthmian Premier following promotion as Champions of the Isthmian South-East in 2023-24 and carried that momentum into the season finishing fourth and only eliminated by Dartford in the playoffs. Steve McKimm’s side away from home have won at Welling United (3-0), Potters Bar Town (3-2), Dulwich Hamlet (3-1), Carshalton Athletic (1-0) and Chichester City (3-0) and picked up a point at Cheshunt (1-1) and Billericay Town (1-1). Their other games ended in defeat at Whitehawk (2-3), Chatham Town (1-3), Burgess Hill Town (0-1) and Folkestone Invicta (0-3).
Last season’s encounters, the first competitive games in the clubs history both went the way of Cray Valley who won 2-0 at Flamingo Park on 12th August, 2024 and also 2-1 at home on Guy Fawkes Night 2024.
Admission £15 adults, £10 concessions, £5 U18s on the gate or online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets. Also there is Free admission for EFL Season Ticket holders and bring a friend for £5 offer as well as for Cray Wanderers Season Ticket Holders.
Printed Match Programme £3, Golden Goal Tickets, Merchandise, hot and cold food/drinks, bars from 11.30, live football on the large screen and bars.
