BIG MATCH PREVIEW

CRAY VALLEY (PM) v HASTINGS UNITED
3rd SEP 2022
EMIRATES FA CUP – 1st ROUND QUALIFYING

By Richard J Green

It’s FA Cup action at The Artic Stadium on Saturday as Valley welcome last season’s Isthmian League South East champions, Hastings United.
The U’s have made an indifferent start to life in the Premier division, securing their first win of the season at the fourth attempt last Saturday against Brightlingsea Regent after falling behind in only the 7th minute. Two goals from Joe Gbode and a rocket from former Miller Sam Hasler, eventually eased U’s to a convincing 4-1 victory, before a goalless draw at Lewes on Monday left them currently sitting in 16th place.
After taking over at the TGS Pilot Field in early November, former centre half Gary Elphick led Hastings on a run of only 6 defeats in 27 games to secure the championship by a remarkable 13 points so hopes will be high in the camp of mounting a challenge for honours this season.
While seasoned U’s supporters may remember consecutive runs to the third round proper in the 1950’s, more recent memories were made just ten years ago when, despite ultimately suffering relegation from the Isthmian League Premier division, Hastings earned a third round trip to Championship side Middlesbrough before suffering a 1-4 defeat.
Last season’s league meetings between the sides saw the away side return home with the points by the same 2-1 scoreline – Ade Adeyemo’s last minute winner in Sussex being one of the highlights of Valley’s season.
With Barney Williams now available for selection after his suspension, hopes will be high that Kevin Watson’s men can reverse that stat and book a place in the next round later this month.

Pic: Danny Smith bursts forward for Valley in the FA Cup tie at Badgers in August 2016

MATCH DETAILS

DATE:- SATURDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2022, KICK-OFF 3PM

VENUE:- THE ARTIC STADIUM, BADGERS SPORTS, MIDDLE PARK AVENUE, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 5HP

MATCH OFFICIALS :-

Referee – Oliver Morris-Sanders
Assistants – Ronald Albert and Christopher Caskey

ADMISSION PRICES : - PAY BY CASH OR CARD AT THE TURNSTILE

ADULTS - £10
CONCESSIONS - £6
CHILDREN UNDER 11 – £1

PROGRAMME - £2.50

NOTE TO VALLEY SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
As this is an FA Cup Tie, ALL supporters must pay

Should the tie be level after 90 minutes, a replay will take place at Hastings United on Tuesday 6th September – kick-off 7.45pm

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Isthmian league SE Div & All Cups

Played 6
Won 1
Drawn 2
Lost 3

FA Cup

2015/16 – Preliminary Round
Cray Valley (PM) 0 Hastings United 3

2016/17 – Preliminary Round
Cray Valley (PM) 0 Hastings United 2

Details of all our previous meetings with The U’s can be found at
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/a/season-202223--opponents-previous-meetings-62212.html?page=23

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