Match Preview
Match Details:
PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE - SOUTH EAST DIVISION
MERTSHAM v CRAY VALLEY (PM)
SAT 3 FEB 2024 - KICK OFF 15.00PM
VENUE: The Hybrid Fitness Stadium, Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey, RH1 3QB
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults: £10
Concessions: (Over 60, Registered Disabled, Student Card Holders) £6
Children Under 16: £3
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Oliver Kaya
Assistants: Matthew Barrett & Joshua Reid
Match Preview:
Our Opponents Merstham, nicknamed The Moatsiders, won promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division in 2014/15 where they remained for seven seasons including the two affected by Covid. They finished bottom in season 2020/21 and were relegated to the Isthmian South Central where they finished last season in 18th / 20th place. A re-structure saw them move sideways into the South East Division.
The two sides met for the first time in a league fixture in November at the Artic Stadium, the Millers winning 4-1 with goals from Matty Vigor 2, Tom Chambers and Marcel Barrington. The Millers have visited Merstham previously in a FA Cup First Qualifying round tie in season 2018/19. The game ended 0-0 and the Milleers went on to win the replay 4-1 on penalties after the game ended 3-3 after extra time.
They are managed by Jamie Decruz who replaced Tony Reid at the beginning of October and currently sit in 17th place on 19 points from 22 games. A recent scoreline that caught the eye was a 6-6 draw at Broadbridge Heath. At various times, the Moatsiders led 2-0, 3-1, 4-3 and 5-4 and yet as the game entered the 95th minute they were 6-5 down before Ben Senior's dramatic late equaliser. On Tuesday they drew 1-1 at Chichester City their 4th away game on the spin, so they will be happy to return home on Saturday.
The Millers go into the game unbeaten in 21 league games and having won all 9 on their travels so far this season. At home they have won 6 and drawn 6 including a 1-1 scoreline on Tuesday against Horndean. Steve McKimm will have virtually a full squad to choose from with just Cem Tumkaya likely to be missing through injury.
Previous Meetings:
Cray Valley v Merstham
League:
Season 2023/24 Home W 4-1
Played 1
Won 1
Cup:
Season 2018/19 FA Cup 1Q Rnd Away 0-0 Home replay 3-3 aet (Cray Valley win 4-1 on penalties)
Played 1
Won 1
LAST MEETING
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 4 MERTSHAM 1 - 21 NOV 2023 - ATT 115
Goals: CV - Chambers 21, Vigor 44, 57, Barrington 90
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-14419388/report
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