On Saturday The Millers look to create a bit of history by reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup. Indeed they have already progressed further this year by making it to the 4th Round Qualifying than they have in their previous FA Cup campaigns having first entered the competition in 2013.

But what of the side that made their FA Cup Debut on Saturday 17th August 2013 at Badgers v Lancing in the Extra Preliminary Round witnessed by a crowd of 101.

A look back at the past seasons archive reveals that LEWIS WOOD is quoted as saying he felt proud after going down in Cray Valley folklore by scoring their first ever goal in the FA Cup. Wood, a diminutive striker who had won the Kent League double with promoted champions Erith & Belvedere the season before, gave The Millers the lead with 40 minutes on the clock. Lancing earned a Tuesday night replay when central defender Conor Sidwell headed home an equaliser with eighteen minutes remaining and the game ended 1 - 1 much to the frustration of Cray Valley manager Steve Chapman who felt his side should have won the game.

“I’m a bit disappointed,” said Chapman, 50, after the game. “I thought we should’ve won the game and put it to bed in the first half. We missed too many chances and then we could’ve gone 2-0 up early in the second half. Lewis Wood’s missed one from under the bar and to be fair they came back and played very well in the second half. “I don’t think it’s a fair result. I thought we should’ve won the game. They hit the bar with speculative shots a few times but I still think we had the better of the chances and looked the better team.”

Cray Valley (Paper Mills): Bobby Sturgeon, Harry Morgan, Adam Gross, Joe Matthews, Steve Springett, Paul Springett, Adam Marsh (Tunde Aderonmu 71), Jamie Wood, Laurent Hamici, Lewis Wood (Stephen Ita 81), Michael McKenna (Dan unner 69). Subs: Kiran Dingri, Adrian Deane

Cray Valley advanced to the next round with an emphatic victory in the replay against Sussex County opponents Lancing away at Culver Road winning 4 - 0. Traffic en route to the South coast forced Chapman to change his intended line up as full backs Adam Gross and Harry Morgan arrived at the ground after the team sheet had been handed to the referee. Dan Gunner and Alan Matthews replaced them respectively. Despite the late changes and the disruption to their preparation, the visitors once again started strongly and took the game to Lancing.

Lewis Wood’s opener just before half time was followed by three second half goals by Tunde Aderonmu, Joe Matthews and a second from Wood as Cray finally overcome a previously unbeaten and resilient Lancing side. Miller’s manager Steve Chapman described the achievement as “Right up there with my proudest moments in management. The lads were fantastic in the second half and we fully deserved to go through.”

FA CUP – PRELIMINARY ROUND - 31 AUGUST 2013

Cray Valley 0 v Redhill 2 (G Gordon 26, C Gregson 90 = 3)

Ryman South side Redhill ended Cray Valley’s FA Cup dreams but the Millers put up a gallant display and with a bit more luck could have at least earned a replay. In fact if referee David Gainsford had awarded what looked a nailed-on penalty when striker Adam Marsh was tripped in the box there may have been a very different outcome. However, it was not to be and it’s the Lobsters that will be facing Thamesmead Town in the next round.

Beaten but history made with their first venture into the "Magic of The Cup" that is the "FA Cup"

More detailed reports on the games can be found on the past seasons achieve section on this website under FA Cup Debut August 2013. Come On You Millers!