The opening league game of the season is one that is usually greeted with exciting anticipation, pre-season confined to history, now a total irrelevance, good or bad. So how has Cray Valley (PM) fared on opening day in recent times? Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, given the relative success over the past eight seasons, we have in fact seen only one victory over that period – 3-2 at Sittingbourne on the 12th August 2023 with Adam Coombes grabbing a 90+ minute winner after the Brickies had recovered from going two down to equalise late on. There has been three draws and four defeats.

Records detailing the opening league game go back to the Kent County League in season 2002/03 covering 24 seasons, thirteen played at home and eleven away. The total record reads 9 wins, 9 losses and 6 draws.

Highest scoring victories were 5-1 in season 2016/17 home to Deal Town in the SCEFL Premier and 6-2 in season 2004/05 away at Old Roan in the Kent County League Premier.

Generally opening days are associated with a Saturday basked in the hot August sunshine and that has mostly been the case. However, one notable exception was the start of the SCEFL championship winning season in 2018/19. Participation in the Roy Vinter Charity Shield as Respect Award Winners on the Friday evening of the opening weekend meant the opening league game was delayed until midweek. This involved a tricky journey to the Mayfield Stadium to take on AFC Croydon. The game was played on a Tuesday evening in heavy rain throughout, a flash of lightning just before the end of the game adding to the drama. The hosts won 1-0 with an 80th minute winner.

On Saturday we face Margate and it is the third consecutive season that we have started at the Artic Stadium. 2024 our first game at step 3 in the Isthmian Premier saw a bumper crowd of 784 against Dartford, a close encounter ending in a 2-1 defeat. Last season’s opener also ended in defeat 2-0 against Carshalton Athletic. On to Saturday - let’s hope the sun shines and we fulfil that excited anticipation with three points for the men in green & white.

Photo: Inspire Socials
Last Season's opener v Carshalton Athletic

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