Match Preview

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE – SOUTH EAST DIVISION
CRAY VALLEY (PM) v PHOENIX SPORTS
TUES 26TH DECEMBER 2023 – KICK OFF 13.00pm

PLEASE NOTE EARLIER KICK OFF TIME - 1PM

VENUE:- THE ARTIC STADIUM, BADGERS SPORTS, MIDDLE PARK AVENUE, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 5HP

Please be aware the ground is situated within the new ULEZ zone so certain vehicles could be subject to charge.
Nearest train station: Eltham approx 20 minutes walk to the ground.

ADMISSION PRICES : - PAY BY CASH OR CARD AT THE TURNSTILE
ADULTS - £10, CONCESSIONS (+65 & Students, with ID) - £6, CHILDREN 11-17 £2. CHILDREN U11 Free

Isthmian League matches Only: Special club offer for limited period:
Concession rate £6 available on production of a season ticket for any Premier, Football League or National League Side for this season or your "Greenwich One Card"

PROGRAMME - £2.50

MATCH OFFICIALS :-
Referee - Reece Pinchback
Assistants - James Goodman and George Barker

Match Preview:

Our opponents
Phoenix Sports under manager Steve Boyle regained their Isthmian South East Division step 4 status for this season. They finished runners-up in the SCEFL Premier and were successful in an inter step play off against local rivals VCD Athletic at the end of last season, having been relegated the season before. They struggled in a tough start to the season suffering some heavy defeats, notably 7-2 in the game against Valley on August Bank Holiday, 6-2 at home to Three Bridges and 9-1 away at Ramsgate mid November. However following a number of changes to player personnel their fortunes have turned around in recent weeks, a draw at Burgess Hill Town, a narrow defeat at Sittingbourne have been followed by back to back home wins against Sevenoaks Town 3-2 and Ashford United 3-1. A resurgent Ryan Hayes, now assistant manager, scored three in those two victories and is their top goalscorer on five. They currently sit in 14th place having played 15 games. One player I personally am looking forward to seeing at the game is former Millers goalkeeper Andy Walker, now plying his trade with Phoenix Sports at the ripe young age of 42.

BOXING DAY FOOTNOTE
In the last 22 years, Cray Valley have been in Boxing Day holiday action on just 4 previous occasions and are yet to record a win, they will be hoping this changes in 2023 :-
Monday 26th December 2011 – Cray Valley (PM) 1 Fisher 2 (SCEFL)
Tuesday 27th December 2016 – AFC Croydon 4 Cray Valley (PM) 1 (SCEFL)
Monday 27th December 2021 – Corinthian 1 Cray Valley (PM) 1 (Isthmian League)
Tuesday 27th December 2022 - Cray Valley (PM) 0 Corinthian 0 (Isthmian league)

Previous meetings:

Cray Valley v Phoenix Sports (senior status)
League:
Season 2023/24 Away W 7-2
Season 2021/22 Home W 1-0 Away D 0-0
Season 2019/20 Covid Home W 2-0 Away L 0-2
Season 2014/15 Home D 1-1 Away D 1-1
Season 2013/14 Home D 2-2 Away L 0-1
Played 9
Won 3
Drew 4
Lost 2

Cup
Season 2019/20 Home L 1-2 (Velocity Trophy)
Played 1
Won 0
Drew 0
Lost 1

Cray Valley v Phoenix Sports (pre-senior status 2002-2011)
League:
Season 2010/11 Home D 2-2 Away D 1-1
Season 2009/10 Home D 1-1 Away unknown
Season 2008/09 Home W 1-0 Away D 3-3
Season 2002/03 Home W 3-1 Away W 4-1
Played 8
Won 3
Drew 4
Lost 0
Unknown 1

Last Meeting
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
PHOENIX SPORTS 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 7 - 28 AUG 2023 - ATT 135
Goals: PS - Goodyear-Thompson 69, 80
CV - Grant 16, 63 Ademiluyi 39, Vigor 44, Della-Verde 55, Lisbie 61, Parker 67
MILLERS BANK HOLIDAY GOAL FEAST
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-14039169/report

Details of all previous meetings can be found at:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/a/season-202324--opponents-previous-meetings-62212.html?page=16