Match Preview

BIG MATCH PREVIEW
WHYTELEAFE v CRAY VALLEY (PM)
10 OCT 2020
PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE – SOUTH EAST DIVISION

By Richard J Green

Kevin Watson takes his Millers team to East Surrey on Saturday for the first of two visits in eight days.
Following the disappointment of their first defeat of the season at home to Faversham Town on Tuesday, Valley will be looking to bounce back against a Whyteleafe side who progressed to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Monday.
Leafe’s victory came after responding from conceding an early goal, overcoming Burnham 3-1 in a tie switched to the 3g pitch at Church Road to ensure completion of the fixture.
They come into this match boasting a 100% league record following an opening day victory at Herne Bay (4-1), and a 1-0 home win against Chichester City.
Following the departure of last season’s leading scorer Ronald Sobowale, early season goals have been shared between Ryan Gondoh 6, and former Corinthian-Casuals man Omari Hibbert 4, as young boss Harry Hudson looks to build on last season’s play-off challenge – Leafe occupying 7th position when the season was suspended.
The 2019-20 season certainly wasn’t without incident in matches between the two sides. After dismissing Valley in the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup, Leafe’s return to Eltham in the League saw The Millers reverse an early deficit to lead 2-1, before an horrific injury to Jack Sammoutis saw the game abandoned midway through the second half.
When The Millers travelled to Church Road, 2 Cem Tumkaya headers helped the visitors to a 4-0 victory, before an amazing comeback saw them complete a “league double” by 3 goals to 2 in the last game played before the season was suspended.
Despite their location, Leafe joined the Kent League/SCEFL in 2012/13, winning the Championship, and with it promotion to the Isthmian League in 2013/14. During this period, under the stewardship of Steve Chapman, The Millers won 2, drawing 1, of their 4 encounters.

LAST SEASON
24 Aug 2019 Emirates FA Cup (PR) Cray Valley (PM) 0 Whyteleafe 2 (Andrews, Walker)
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22 Oct 2019 Isthmian League SE Cray Valley (PM) 2 (Edgar (pen), Sammoutis) Whyteleafe 1 (Aikhionbare) [Match abandoned]

1 Feb 2020 Isthmian League SE Whyteleafe 0 Cray Valley (PM) 4 (Tumkaya 2, Tomlin, Gayle)
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10 Mar 2020​ Isthmian League SE Cray Valley (PM) 3 (Tomlin 2 (pens), Babalola) Whyteleafe 2 (Sesay, Gondoh (pen)

NEWS FOR VISITING FANS
Whyteleafe play at Church Road, Whyteleafe, CR3 0AR

The matchday programme will be available to download at
http://www.theleafe.co.uk/?content=story&page=5247620282547282810

The Club’s “Covid Statement” can be accessed at
http://www.theleafe.co.uk/?content=story&page=6310975143850406915

ADMISSION PRICES
Adult £10
Concession £5
Under 11 £2 (With adult)