Our Opponents:
Ashford United nicknamed the Nuts and Bolts haven't enjoyed the best of league starts, although it is of course early days, they currently sit in 20th place in the Isthmian South East on 2 points from their opening four games. Draws at home to Sevenoaks Town and Margate with defeats at Sheppey United and Faversham Town the order of the day so far.

They have however enjoyed cup success progressing in the FA Cup beating Haywards Heath Town, Holmesdale and Raynes Park Vale to reach the 2nd Qualifying Round and play at home to Chatham Town on Saturday. In the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round on Saturday they won 3-0 at Herne Bay.

Manager Lloyd Hume has made a couple of signings in the past week or so including the arrival of Rodney Eurotor who made two cup appearances (Velocity and London Senior) for the Millers back in 2021 scoring in both.

Match Preview:
For the second season running The Millers have been drawn against the Nuts and Bolts in the First Round of the Kent Senior Cup. Last year's fixture took place at the Artic Stadium the hosts winning 3-0 thanks to late goals from Fumnaya Shomotun, Andre Coker and Matty Vigor. This time around the Millers travel to Homelands. The two sides have met many times in various competitions over the years including the 2017 Kent Senior Trophy Final played at Maidstone with Ashford United winning 2-1.

One of my favourite 'history insights' discovered when researching past encounters involved the two clubs back in 2016. Cray Valley were forced to turn out in an old Ashford United strip meaning both teams shirts bore the same sponsor D&D Autos. The SCEFL Premier Division game took place on 2nd April 2016 at Homelands, the hosts winning 1-0 through a 36th penalty from Shaun Welford.
Pictured below Millers captain Tommy Osborne (wearing yellow) in action

With our new third orange kit expected to be on show tonight no such kit clash is anticipated.

Previous meetings:
Cray Valley (PM) v Ashford United
League
2023/24 Home W 2-0 Away W 2-0
2022/23 Home W 5-1 Away L 0-1
2021/22 Home W 1-0 Away L 1-3
2019/20 Covid Home W 3-1 Away W 2-1
2016/17 Home L 2-5 Away L 0-2
2015/16 Home L 0-5 Away L 0-1
2014/15 Home W 3-2 Away W 1-0
2013/14 Home L 0-2 Away D 1-1
Played 18
Won 8
Drew 1
Lost 7

Play Off Semi Final:
2021/22 Away L 0-1
Played 1
Lost 1

Cup
2024/25 Home W 3-0 (Kent Senior Cup First Round)
2016/17 Home L 0-2 (Challenge Cup Quarter Final)
2016/17 @MaidstoneFC L 1-2 (Kent Senior Trophy Final)
2015/16 Home W 5-1 (FA Cup)
Played 4
Won 2
Drew 0
Lost 2

Last Meeting
DFDS KENT SENIOR CUP FIRST ROUND
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 ASHFORD UNITED 0 - 24 SEP 2024 - ATT 81
Goal: CV - Shomotun 74, Coker 84, Vigor 89
Millers: Ovenden, Asiedu, Oshilaja (c) (Waldren 46), Tumkaya, Elliott, Shomotun, Anau (Vigor 68), Ibrahiym, Della-Verde, Figueira (Coker79), Barrington Subs not used: Pain, Williams
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/0-5976825/report