Match Preview

Match Details:

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE – SOUTH EAST DIVISION
CRAY VALLEY (PM) v MERSTHAM
21ST NOV 2023 – KICK OFF 19.45pm

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

SEASON TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE: NOW REDUCED TO £100

PROGRAMME - £2.50

MATCH OFFICIALS :-
Referee - Mark Pond
Assistants - Brendan Walsh and Daniel Trout

Match Preview:

Our Opponents Merstham, nicknamed The Moatsiders, visit The Artic Stadium for the first time to contest a league game although they were visitors in season 2018/19 in a FA Cup First Qualifying round replay which The Millers won 4-1 on penalties after the game ended 3-3 after extra time. The first match at Merstham had ended 0-0. See below for more details.

Merstham 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 and hence they meet us today in the South East Division.

They currently sit in 14th place with 11 points from 11 games. After failing to win in their opening five games, losing four of them, they have been beaten just twice in their next six games, against Ashford United and Ramsgate. They have enjoyed victories over Beckenham Town, Sheppey United, Phoenix Sports and gained a 2-2 draw at Sevenoaks Town on Saturday.

The upturn in results has co-incided with the arrival of new manager Jamie Decruz who replaced Tony Reid at the beginning of October. Decruz had previously spent a short time as Assistant Manager at Isthmian Premier side Kingstonian. He has boosted his squad since arriving with at least half a dozen new faces joining the team.

Ones to watch: This seasons top goalscorers
Merstham: Lorenzo Lewis 7 league and cup goals in 12 appearances.
Cray Valley (PM): Kyrell Lisbie 17 league and cup goals in 21 appearances.

Previous Meetings:
League:
None

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

Sat 8-Sep 2018 THE EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING
Merstham 0 v Cray Valley 0

Tommy Osborne holds the subs board with Kevin James and physio Courtney Dobson looking on.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2265955533538617&type=3
Match Report:
https://www.facebook.com/CrayValleyPM/posts/2265010590299778

Weds 12-Sep 2018 THE EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND REPLAY
Cray Valley 3 v Merstham 3 after extra time (Cray Valley win 4-1 on penalties)
Goals: CV - Edgar 44, Babalola 73, Lisbie 90 (pen)
M - Davies 19, 34, Antonio 90+2
Attendance 138
Cray Valley: Andy Walker, Cem Tumkaya (Nathan Palmer 65), Danny Smith, Josh James, Ashley Sains, Liam Hickey, Ryan Flack (Devontae Irving-Young 93), Anthony Edgar, Francis Babalola, Kevin Lisbie, Jack White.
Subs unused: Joe N’Guessan, George Palmer, Tommy Osborne

Stephen McCartney reports from Middle Park Avenue
CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) manager Kevin Watson praised the character from his players after pulling off a FA Cup giant-killing act by beating Merstham on penalties to reach the Second Qualifying Round for the first time.
https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/craymers120918