
BIG MATCH PREVIEW
CRAY VALLEY (PM) v RAMSGATE
2nd APRIL 2022
PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE – SOUTH EAST DIVISION
By Richard J Green

After defeat in their last two home matches, Valley return to The Artic Stadium on Saturday buoyed by successive wins on the road - at the homes of fellow playoff contenders Haywards Heath Town and Herne Bay.
Visitors Ramsgate meanwhile, lie three points behind Kevin Watson’s men in fifth place and are currently looking anxiously over their shoulders as they look to secure a playoff spot.
Defeat to a late Daniel Taylor strike for Sittingbourne last week came on the back of reversals against Corinthian and Whitehawk, prompting Manager Matt Longhurst to bolster his options with the deadline day signing of Corinthian striker Harvey Smith, along with former Erith Town and Sheppey United goalkeeper Tommy Taylor from Fisher. ThIS followed the recent capture of former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur Academy product Eddie Carrington from Potters Bar.
Without a draw in their last 14 league matches, Rams have conceded most goals of the top seven clubs to date - failing to keep a clean sheet in their last eight away matches. At the other end of the pitch however, only leaders Hastings United have found the net more times this season, with former Crystal Palace youngster Joshua Ajayi currently the league’s leading goalscorer with 20 goals as he weighs up interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Stevenage.
Watson will be missing Connor Dymond from his defence following last week’s sending off at Herne Bay, but will have been pleased with the recent return to fitness of Alex Brefo, Nathan Green and skipper Nat Blanks.
When the teams met at the WW Martin Community Stadium in late November, it was Storm Arwen who stole the show as Blanks’ first half own goal was cancelled out by Matt Warren just before the hour in atrocious conditions.
Victory on Saturday will put Valley within touching distance of securing their own playoff place, while a further home loss will have them closely monitoring other results as the season moves into the final month.
Pic : Storm Arwen was the only winner on the Kent coast in November
SEASON 2021/22 LEAGUE FORM GUIDE
Cray Valley (PM)
WLLLWW
Ramsgate
WWWLLL
MATCH DETAILS
DATE:-
SATURDAY 2nd APRIL 2022, KICK-OFF 3PM
VENUE :-
THE ARTIC STADIUM, BADGERS SPORTS, MIDDLE PARK AVENUE, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 5HP
ADMISSION :-
ADULTS - £10
CONCESSIONS - £5
CHILDREN UNDER 11 – FREE
PAY BY CASH OR CARD AT THE TURNSTILE
PRINTED PROGRAMME - £2
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee – Daniel D’Urso
Assistants – Samuel Hall and Ben Al-Shaikh
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
LEAGUE
Played 3
Won 2
Draw 1
Lost 0
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SE DIVN
2021/22 Away D 1-1
2019/20 Home W 5-3 Away W 2-0
Season 2021/22
Sat 27 Nov 2021
Ramsgate 1 Cray Valley (PM) 1
Goals: R – Blanks (og) 31
CV – Warren 57
Attendance 703
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-9409682/report
Season 2019/20
Sat 9 Nov 2019
Ramsgate 0 Cray Valley (PM) 2
Goals: CV - A-Warren 21, Mfula 25
Attendance 218
Match Report and Photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-4530280/report
Sat 7 Mar 2020
Cray Valley (PM) 5 Ramsgate 3
Goals: CV - Noble 41, Hickey 53, Babalola 60, Ibrahiym 78, Flack 84
R - Miller 10, Arnold, 70? Chapman 88?
Attendance 86
Match Report:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/1-4530456/report
Full details of our previous meetings can be found at ;-
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/a/season-202122--opponents-previous-meetings-62212.html?page=14