PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
CRAY VALLEY (PM) v COLCHESTER UNITED U21
TUESDAY 14 JULY - KICK OFF 19.45

REDUCED ADMISSION: ADULTS INC SENIORS £5, CHILDREN U16 FREE

Tuesday sees the first of three home pre-season friendlies. The other two are Saturday 25 July v AFC Whyteleafe kick off 15.00 and Tuesday 28th July v Ebbsfleet United kick off 19.45.

Our Opponents:
Colchester United nicknamed the U's are about to embark on their 11th consecutive season in the English Football League (EFL) Division Two having been relegated from Division One in season 2015/16. They will be expected to send a strong, talented young U21 squad for the Millers first home friendly of the season.

Recent links with the club have seen several young U's players on loan with the Millers. namely goalkeeper Harrison Chamberlain, striker Makise Evans and defender Alfie Newby. All three impressed on their spells with us. Current Millers manager Kevin Lisbie made 83 appearances for the U's scoring 30 goals across two stints 2007/08 and on loan 2009/10. More recently two of his sons Kyreece have also played for Colchester United. Kyreece who has just secured a move to Reading on a four year deal, while Kaion remains in the middle of a two year contract.

The Millers:
So who can we expect to see in Kevin Lisbie's squad for this season. One or two conversations continue but definitely returning are goalkeeper Prince Adegoke, who signed towards the end of last season playing in the final twelve games. Long serving winger Denzel Gayle has committed for another year and everyone will be hoping his fitness allows him to significantly extend his 330 appearances for the Millers. Experienced centre back Marvel Ekpiteta will be another familiar face having made 39 appearances last season along with right back Sanchez Ming who played in the final seven games last season. Montel Agyemang is another who has committed for the new season having joined in January 2026, making 15 appearances, now 29 he provides more experience as does Rowan Liburd who made 21 appearances scoring three times will again be seen upfront in a Millers shirt.

Malachy Turner an exciting prospect in the midfield, now 20, came to prominence for our U18 Isthmian side a couple of seasons ago, since when he has gained experience in season 2024/25 with Corinthian at step 5 and last season Erith Town at step 4 earning player of the year awards along the way. He now returns to the fold for the coming season. Another player returning to the club is Abdul Aziz Sankoh a left back who can also play in midfield. He represented our U23 side before departing and gaining experience at Carshalton Athletic for a couple of seasons where he made nearly 100 appearances over two and a half seasons. Midway through last season he joined Hayes & Yeading and then moved on to AFC Whyteleafe.

New faces on show will be experienced centre back Nathan Smith who enjoyed an illustrious career representing the likes of football league clubs Yeovil Town where he made over 250 appearances in two spells over a ten year period from 2008 and Chesterfield for whom he played more than 60 games. Jack Leahy age 23 a wide midfielder who came through the ranks of Brighton & Hove Albion and Cardiff City joins along with Germaine Rico Dua an experienced defensive midfielder whose last club was Ashford Town (Middlesex).

A number of trialists have been seen at training so it will be interesting to see further additions to the squad as pre-season continues with the possibility of a few familiar faces also still likely to return. Fascinating stuff ahead of the start of the league season on Saturday 8th August. Fixtures expected to be announced towards the end of next week.

#WeAreSE9