Match Preview

Match Details:

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE - SOUTH EAST DIVISION
HORNDEAN v CRAY VALLEY (PM)
SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2024 - KICK OFF 15.00PM

VENUE: Stanley Chase Stadium, Five Heads Park, Five Heads Road, Horndean. PO8 9NZ

ADMISSION: Adults £10, Concessions £7 and U12s FREE with an adult.
cash or card accepted on the gate.

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Calum McFarlane
Assistants: William Brodie and Luke Fletcher

Match Preview:

Our Opponents
Horndean FC nicknamed The Deans were formed in 1887. They are based in Horndean which is situated near Portsmouth in Hampshire. Their more recent history shows that in 2010–11 they were promoted to the Premier Division of the Wessex League after finishing as runners-up in Division One. At the start of the 2016–2017 season Horndean FC saw the arrival of current manager Michael Birmingham and gradual improvement followed with 6th and 4th place finishes. In 2018-2019 the team under Michael Birmingham finished second, its highest ever position in the Sydenham's Wessex premier League. The club were promoted to the Isthmian League for the first time as Champions in the 2022–23 season and placed in the South East Division.

Horndean currently sit in 12th place on 43 points having played 37 games. They haven't been on the best of runs recently having won just one of their last nine games and three draws. The situation not helped by having to play four "home" matches away from Five Heads Park, three on the 3G at Chichester & the other on the 3G at Havant & Waterlooville due to problems with the home pitch after the recent rain. They will be pleased to return to Five Heads Park for their final league game of the season. Back in March they beat Ramsgate 1-0 here with a Tommy Scutt goal. The Millers and the Deans met for the first time at the end of January at the Artic Stadium and it ended in a 1-1 draw, Danny Waldren's 67th minute equaliser cancelling out Tommy Scutt 44th minute goal. Their top goalscorer in all competitions is Zackary Willett with 26 (24 league, 2 cup), followed by Tommy Scutt on 13 (11 league, 2 cup).

The Slope:
We all know there is a slope at the Artic Stadium with one end I believe eight feet higher than the other. What visiting supporters may not know is that there is also a pronounced slope at Five Heads Park. One website article suggested it was fifteen feet higher at one end so if correct I am assuming the slope will indeed be very evident.

The Millers:
Steve McKimm's mantra this season has been it's just another game of football and we take one game at a time and look to win that one before moving on to the next. This is indeed just another game of football and once again we will go out there and look to win. Of course there are more important things in life and personal circumstances sadly often dictate this to be the case but purely in football terms this match is of some importance. A win or even a draw for the Millers will clinch the Isthmian South East Division title and with it promotion to step 3 for the first time. There are other scenarios but let's not complicate the task and frankly I would rather not be checking web pages all the time to monitor events at the Southwood Stadium.

The full squad of 21 players will of course all be on hand to lend their support and that has been a feature all season. Unfortunately injuries dictate that a few will miss out from being in the 16 named squad but their support will still be there on the day. It promises to be compelling, hope to see you there.

Previous Meetings
Cray Valley (PM) v Horndean

Season 2023/24 Home D 1-1

Played 1
Won 0
Drew 1
Lost 0

Season 2023/24
PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIV
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 HORNDEAN 1 - 30 JAN 2024 - ATT 125
Goals: CV - Waldren 67
H - Scutt 44
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-14463626/report