Match Preview

Match Details:

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE – SOUTH EAST DIVISION
RAMSGATE v CRAY VALLEY (PM)
SAT 13TH APRIL 2024 – KICK OFF 15.00pm

VENUE :- WW Martin Community Stadium, Princes Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 0AN

By Rail:
Use Ramsgate Station

Official Club Website – https://ramsgatefc.co.uk

ADMISSION PRICES :-
Adults £10,
Concessions (Over 60s, Students & Unemployed) £5,
Under 18s Free
Some important information from Ramsgate FC for supporters ahead of tomorrow's Isthmian League fixture! The match is pay on the gate. Gates will open at 1pm and we are expecting a big crowd so make sure arrive in time. There will be no parking at the ground. This is to ensure we can accommodate all supporters as well as supplying additional toilet facilities and refreshment outlets. There is off-road parking from London Road down to West Cliff. Ramsgate Station is only a mile walk away via South Eastern Road, and there is a regular bus service to nearby Grange Road if needed.

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee – Joseph Dann-Pye
Assistants – Stuart Beadle and Jacob Miller

Match Preview:

This is the big one, the one that’s been looming for a while and now it’s here, first versus second. Two sides that have enjoyed unbelievable seasons to date. In the three completed seasons (interrupted by Covid) since the Isthmian South East Division was re-structured the title has been won on 79, 85 (both 38 games) and 82 points (36 games). Interestingly only one of the teams finishing second in those three years have gone on to be promoted via the play off's, Horsham in 2018/19. Ramsgate of course finished runners-up last season but lost out in the play off semi finals to Hythe Town.

Following Ramsgate's 6-2 win at East Grinstead on Tuesday evening, both teams are currently level on 85 points, with Ramsgate having played 35 games just ahead on goal difference with +64. Cray Valley (PM) have played 34 games, one less and have a goal difference of +63.

Cray Valley (PM) will have three games to play after Saturdays clash, Herne Bay at home, Hythe Town and Horndean both away. Ramsgate will have two, Chichester City away and Three Bridges at home. Whatever the result is on Saturday, clearly it promises to go to the wire.

Turning attention to Saturdays clash Ramsgate nicknamed the Rams are managed by Ben Smith. Ben of course has locked horns with Valley before when he was in charge of Canterbury City and the epic FA Vase semi final in season 2018/19 which saw Valley triumph 2-1 over two legs and reach Wembley.

A couple of faces familiar to Valley fans in the Ramsgate line up are likely to be ex Millers Alex Brefo and Matthew Attenborough-Warren both of whom joined Ramsgate during the season.

Top goalscorer for the Rams in all competitions is Joe Taylor on 49 (38 league, 11 cup) followed by Tijan Jadama on 18 (14 league, 4 cup) and Alfie Paxman on 13 (all league).

Cray Valley top goalscorers this season are Kyrell Lisbie on 26 (16 league 10 cup), Adam Coombes 17 (league 9, cup 8), Freddie Parker 15 (league 6, cup 9), Matthew Vigor 14 (league 12, cup 2), Danny Waldren 9 (all league).

The two sides did meet earlier in the season at the WW Martin Community Stadium in the Kent Senior Cup with both sides fielding a number of younger players which Valley won 7-1. In the league at the Artic Stadium in November the game finished 1-1. See below for details. All that of course counts for nothing, it is all about this Saturday!

With a large crowd expected it promises to be compelling, hope to see you there.

Previous Meetings:
Cray Valley v Ramsgate
League
Season 2023/24 Home D 1-1
Season 2022/23 Home W 2-0 Away L 0-3
Season 2021/22 Home W 4-1 Away D 1-1
Season 2019/20 Covid Home W 5-3 Away W 2-0
Played 7
Won 4
Drew 2
Lost 1

Cup
Season 2023/24 Away W 7-1 (Kent Senior Cup)
P 1
W 1

Last Meeting
Season 2023/24
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 RAMSGATE 1 - 25 NOV 2023 - ATT 272
Goals: CV - Vigor 23
R - Ellul 82
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-14039277/report

Last League Meeting at the Southwood Stadium
Season 2022/23
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
RAMSGATE 3 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 0 - 13th Aug 2022 - ATT 485
Goals: R - Chiedozie 3 (pen), Ajayi 54, 65
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-10701406/report

Details of all previous meetings can be found at
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/a/season-202324--opponents-previous-meetings-62212.html?page=17