Match Preview

Match Details:
Pre-season friendly
Saturday 5th August kick off 15.00pm
Cray Valley (PM) v Dulwich Hamlet

The Artic Stadium
Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, SE9 5HP

Admission: Adults £10, Concessions 65+ & Students with ID £5, Children 16-17 £2, U16 free

Match Preview:
Thirty-eight days after reporting back for pre-season training the Millers embark on their eighth and final pre-season game on Saturday against Isthmian Premier side Dulwich Hamlet.

The Visitors and Past Meetings:
The Hamlet kick off their Isthmian Premier Season away at Hashtag United on August 12th, this will also be their final pre-season game. Manager Hakan Hayrettin was appointed towards the end of last season in March. Whilst he was unable to prevent the Hamlet from being relegated he has been busy in the close and pre season putting together a squad ready to challenge for an immediate return to the National League South. One new signing was Cray Valley legend centre back Cem Tumkaya who of course made 235 appearances for the Millers. We welcome him back to the Artic Stadium.

Other past connections between the two clubs include Gavin Tomlin a member of the Millers 2018/19 SCEFL promotion winning side and playing at Wembley in the FA Vase Cup Final the same season. He had moved from Dulwich Hamlet where he played a part in helping their promotion to the National League South in 2017/18 where they remained until the end of last season. Interestingly it was Gavin Tomlin who scored the opening goal of the game for Dulwich Hamlet when the two sides last met in a pre-season friendly at Badgers in July 2017. The Millers eventually winning 3-2.

Season 2016/17 saw the two sides meet in the Semi Final of the London Senior Cup at Badgers. The Millers winning 3-2 and at the time going on to become the lowest ranked side to win the London Senior Cup when beating Met Police 2-1 in the final played at Champion Hill, home of Dulwich Hamlet.

The Millers:
Steve McKimm will looking to field something like his first choice side ahead of the opening league game at Sittingbourne on the 12th August. There are slight injury concerns for defenders Arthur Lee and Teddy Perkins although they will both be hoping to play a part very soon if not this Saturday. Another who is expected to be back is goalkeeper Sam Freeman. One player definitely ruled out is Kershaney Samuels who has not recovered from his injury and is yet to take part in pre-season.

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