Match Preview

Match Details: Pre-Season Friendly - Corinthian v Cray Valley (PM)
Saturday 22nd July 2023, Kick Off 15.00pm
Corinthian Sports Club, Gay Dawn Farm, Valley Road, Fawkham, Longfield, Kent, DA3 8LY.

The match will take place on the back pitch due to ongoing work on the main pitch

Entry: Adult £5, Concession £3 payable by cash or credit card on the gate.

Travel: Please note: If coming from Brands Hatch end, your Sat Nav will send you up Pennis Lane, the turning before Corinthian Sports Club – please go past Pennis Lane (there is a “No Entry to Corinthian’s” at the bottom of the lane), and take the next turning on the right.

Referee: Piotr Zachweija
Assistants: Ashley Rodi and Brian Statham

Match Preview:
Steve McKimm's Millers side will be looking to continue and build on the encouraging signs that were there for all to see in the midweek performance and 2-1 win against Cray Wanderers. The players are getting fitter and getting to know each other a little better with the start of the Isthmian League season just 3 weeks away.

Looking at a few individuals in that game, Sam Freeman in goal showed what he is capable of making a vital save early on against Wanderers when the scoreline was still goalless and another notable save, deflecting the ball onto the cross bar, in the second half. At the back Barney Williams and Kiki Oshilaja both had good games as did Teddy Perkins before getting a knock on his ankle which forced him to come off immediately just before the interval. The ankle was swelling up, let's hope it's not as bad as it looked. Jensen Grant who previously featured at centre mid, showed his versatility and quality by playing the second half at centre back. Starting at left back on Tuesday was new signing Clement Asiedu who along with defending well looked dangerous going forward and combined well down the left side with the speedy Ethan Okechukwu who is back at the club after finishing university. Tom Chambers came on in the second half on the left and as always did well. On the right Denzel Gayle gave the Wanderers left back a torrid time, causing all sorts of problems. Sonny Black got forward and was rewarded with the opening goal. Hassan Ibrahiym went close himself in the second half as he broke forward through the middle and Lyle Della-Verde worked hard and was involved in the build up for the second goal, he also scored the penalty against Glebe. Freddie Parker who also scored against Glebe and Punjab United got his goal against Wanderers and came close on another occasion hitting the foot of the post after being set up by Gayle. Three of the U18's Dexter Gilchrist, Malachy Turner and Arinze Chukwujekwu have all played a part in pre season and certainly haven't looked out of place. Arthur Lee, nursing a knock, didn't take part Tuesday but has looked solid at centre back in the previous games. Another who missed out Tuesday with a slight hamstring twinge was Michael Ademiluyi who showed in the other games what he can do utilising his pace to good effect and scoring against both Glebe and Punjab United. Julien Anau also didn't play on Tuesday but has worked hard in the other games. Finally two players yet to appear due to injury are Kershanney Samuels and Adam Coombes, hopefully we will see them back soon.

Turning now to Saturday's opposition and hosts Corinthian. They were of course relegated last season back to the SCEFL Premier after two seasons in the Isthmian South East. They have been able to retain the services of manager Michael Golding and he will be looking to put together a side to challenge and hopefully bounce back despite a number of player departures in the summer. Pre-season has seen them contest three home friendlies, all played on the back pitch whilst works are being carried out on their main pitch. They started with a loss to Crowborough Athletic 3-1 and have followed up with two further defeats against FC Elmstead 3-0 and last Saturday to the only goal of the game versus Redhill. In an indication of looking to put together a new squad for the coming season they embark on a double header this weekend starting on Friday evening against AFC Uckfield Town, followed by ourselves on Saturday. Corinthian start their League season on Saturday 29th July at home to Kennington.