Cray Wanderers vs Cray Valley – PSF – Tuesday 21st July, 7.45 pm – Match Preview
Pics: Natalie Stribbling and Steve Cullum
Cray Wanderers go into the second half of pre-season on Tuesday 21st July with the first of two games vs Isthmian South-East opposition as Cray Valley PM make the short trip from Eltham to Flamingo Park. Kick off 7.45 pm.
With the World Cup now finished after a rather undignified and appalling finale marred by bad sportsmanship (right winners though which is a relief) and an unfootballlike half time show which was at best cringey and at worst embarrassing Tuesday sees a chance to put the purest form of the game, non League football put the World to rights and restore our faith in our national game and set the bar high for the next ten months.
Cray Wanderers have got through three games vs National South opposition and have done well with back to back wins vs Folkestone Invicta and Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.
The Wands have impressed defensively and offensively against strong teams and centre half Rob Strachan powered home a sixth minute header for his first goal for the club. Defensive partner Charlie Paye scored against AFC Whyteleafe so both have shown their prowess from set pieces.
New signing Ade Yusuff has two goals in pre-season with Frankie Morgan and U23s forward Tade Kpotie also finding the net vs Folkestone Invicta.
With two games to follow the team should start taking shape ahead of the start of the season with the possibility of any promising trialists signing adding to the squad. The Wands finish at home to a Crystal Palace XI on 25th July, 12 pm and away to Faversham Town on 1st August.
Cray Valley PM will be looking to bounce back from last season’s relegation from the Isthmian Premier and look to be rebuilding on the pitch and behind the scenes and will look to repeat the success of the 2023-24 season where the Millers won the title. This carried forward to their first Premier season where they finished 4th and reached the playoffs but last season was a tougher ride. A poor run between November-March saw Kevin Lisbie step in as manager and Cray Valley ended the season on a bit of a bounce with one defeat in the last six games which was against the Wands and drew with Folkestone at home and won 3-2 at Dartford on the final day but just missed out on safety by two points from Carshalton Athletic.
Kevin Lisbie has been able to keep the likes of Denzel Gayle and Montel Agyemang for the season and added Nicholas Cella as coach. Experienced midfielder/coach Danny Waldren and striker Rowan Liburd have left the club.
New arrivals announced are strikers James Stewart, Dayo Santanna and Ade Shokunbi plus midfielder Tom Deighton and defender Nathan Smith.
Pre-season has seen a 2-3 defeat at Petts Wood & Holmesdale on 11th July followed by a 1-2 defeat at home to Colchester United U21s last Tuesday. On Saturday Cray Valley were 2-1 winners at Snodland Town with goals from Shokunbi and Stewart.
After tomorrow Cray Valley host AFC Whyteleafe on 25th July and then at home to Ebbsfleet United on 28th July.
The Millers begin the Isthmian South-East season at home to Margate on 8th August followed by a trip to Sittingbourne on 15th August. In the FA Cup Preliminary Round Cray Valley will host Broadbridge Heath or AFC Greenwich Borough on 22nd August. Cray Valley will visit Erith Town in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy on 29th August and will host Welling United in the Kent Senior Cup on September 8th/9th.
The teams have only met on four occasions in competitive games with two wins apiece.
Last season saw Cray Wanderers win 5-0 at Flamingo Park on 27th December with goals from Alex Hernandez (2), Harry Waldock, Sol Kader and Jordy Mongoy on target. It was much closer when the sides met at the Artic Stadium on Easter Monday with the Wands winning 2-1 with goals from Frankie Raymond and Shae Hutchinson.
This should be a fine evening and admission is a good value £5 adults on the gate or online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets/ with U18s free. Printed Match programme £3 with merchandise/programme store and hot/cold food and drinks and bars with outside large screen.
