The Millers return to action after their thirteen match unbeaten run came to an end last Saturday losing by the only goal of the game in the 89th minute at Littlehampton Town. They will be hoping this is the first game of a new unbeaten run. A busy February lies ahead, eight games in total, with a Saturday / Tuesday schedule comprising of seven league games and a Kent Senior Cup tie at Margate. The squad will be tested to the full and it was good to see Kiki Oshilalja return to match action on Tuesday for the first time since 22nd October following an operation. Thank you to Punjab United for whom he dual registered, Kiki played and scored in their 3-2 Kent Senior Trophy win against Hollands & Blair. Missing on Saturday will be Julien Anau who is suspended for one match following his sending off for two yellow cards at Littlehampton.

Chichester City under manager Miles Rutherford, now in his seventh season at the helm, go into the game on the strength of back to back wins, both at home, against Haywards Heath Town 4-0 and lancing 1-0. They now lie in 10th place with 29 points from 21 games. Top golscorers are Ethan Prichard on 9 and Josh Clack on 8.

By way of recent history, Chichester City rose to prominence with an FA Cup run in 2019 that saw them receive national TV exposure with a first round “bye” at the expense of Bury, before a Sunday lunchtime defeat at League Two Tranmere Rovers in the second round. This followed a post-war history spent in the Sussex County League before being crowned champions of the renamed “Southern Combination” in 2018/19.

The two sides met at Oaklands Park earlier in the season on 19th November, the date when Cray manager Tommy Osborne and assistant Paul Lorraine took charge for their first game following the departure of Kevin Watson. Second half goals from Daniel Bennett and Adam Coombes gave the Millers a 2-0 victory. The meeting at the Artic Stadium last season resulted in a point a piece as the game ended goalless. Full details below.

With the weather set fair for the weekend it looks all systems go for Saturday, hope to see you there.

Cem Tumkaya in action the last time the two sides met at the Artic Stadium in October 2021

SEASON 2022/23 LEAGUE FORM GUIDE (most recent left to right)
Cray Valley (PM)
LWWDW
Chichester City
WWLLD

MATCH DETAILS
DATE:- SATURDAY 4TH FEB 2023, KICK-OFF 3PM
VENUE:- THE ARTIC STADIUM, BADGERS SPORTS, MIDDLE PARK AVENUE, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 5HP

MATCH OFFICIALS :-
Referee – Thomas Whay
Assistants – Joshua Evans and Jack Good

ADMISSION PRICES : - PAY BY CASH OR CARD AT THE TURNSTILE
ADULTS - £10
CONCESSIONS - £6
CHILDREN UNDER 11 – £1
Show a current valid Season Ticket from any Premier, Football or National League side or your “Greenwich One Card” to qualify for the £6 Concessionary rate
PROGRAMME - £2.50

Previous Meetings:
Cray Valley v Chichester
League
Season 2022/23 Away W 2-0
Season 2021/22 Home D 0-0, Away W 2-0
Season 2019/20 Covid Home L 0-2
Played 4
Won 2
Drew 1
Lost 1

Cup
2013/14 Away W 5-3 (FA Vase)
Played 1
Won 1
Drew 0
Lost 0

Last Meeting:
Season 2022/23
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CHICHESTER CITY 0 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 - 19th Nov 2022 - ATT 186
Goals: CV - Bennett 59, Coombes 89
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-10701534/report

Last Meeting at The Artic Stadium:
16 OCT - 2021
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 0 CHICHESTER CITY 0
Attendance 85
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-9409614/report

Details of all previous meetings can be found athttps://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/a/season-202223--opponents-previous-meetings-62212.html?page=6