Match Preview

Match details:

EMIRATES FA CUP FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND
CRAY VALLEY (PM) v ENFIELD TOWN
SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER, KICK OFF 15.00PM

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

PROGRAMME - £2.50

MATCH OFFICIALS :-
Referee - Samuel Read
Assistants - Dane Johnston and Luis Nunes
Fourth Official: Terence Dawkins

If the scores are level after normal time there will be a replay on Tuesday 17th October ko 19.45pm at QE2 Stadium, Donkey Lane, Enfield EN1 3PL

Today's Mascots: We welcome the players and parents from our U8 Blacks team who play mini soccer in the SELKENT League. The side are managed by Terry Rising.

Our Opponents
Enfield Town FC was formed on 23rd June 2001 and started life in the Essex Senior League. They joined the Isthmian League Division One North for season 2006/07 and were promoted to the isthmian Premier Division in 2011/12 where they remain today. They finished 3rd in 2021/22 losing in the play off semi final and last season finished in 9th place. This is the third time they have reached the fourth qualifying round in the FA Cup, on the previous tow occasions they were beaten 2-1 by Chesham United in 2015/16 and in 2017/18 by Maidstone United 3-1 in the replay after the initial game ended 2-2.

The name Enfield will conjure up memories for non league supporters of a certain age who may recall the old Enfield FC, who had a fine non-league FA Cup pedigree and once reached the fourth round proper, beaten by Barnsley in season 1980/81, the match played at Tottenham Hotspur’s White Hart Lane in front of over 35,000 people.

That was very much before the present day Enfield Town who are the first supporter-owned club in the country and growth continues at a sustainable pace. They play their home games at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, Donkey Lane, Enfield. Ahead of the 2023/24 campaign they brought in a new management team led by former Met Police manger Gavin Macpherson as they look for promotion. They currently sit in 7th place on 14 points having played 7 league games with at least one and in some cases two games in hand on those teams above them.

Top goalscorers to date this season -
Marcus Wyllie 8 and Sam Youngs 6 both from 11 appearances.

Match Preview:
The magic of the cup is well and truly here. Plenty of interest in this intriguing tie with both teams looking to make a bit of history of their own, the hosts to beat higher division opposition and reach the first round proper for the second time and for the visitors it would be their first time. The Millers reached the first round proper in the Covid hit season 2020/21 narrowly losing at Havant & Waterlooville 1-0.

Steve Mckimm should have virtually a full squad from which to pick from. The strength and depth of that squad was highlighted by the fact he was able to field no less than eight new starters for Saturdays FA Trophy game against Carshalton Athletic which was won 2-1 compared to the previous Tuesday's FA Cup replay against the same opposition and which also produced a 2-1 victory.

One player who sadly won't be in contention is Lyle Della-Verde who is still recovering from an injury sustained back on the August Bank Holiday in the 7-2 victory at Phoenix Sports. Incidentally that was the last time the Millers played a league game, in all competitions they remain unbeaten in fourteen games this season. Lyle who scored 2 goals in his 5 appearances for the Millers joined in the summer from Enfield Town. He will be well known to our visitors where over two spells he made 102 appearances scoring 29 goals.

With this being an International weekend meaning no domestic Premier or Championship games plus a vastly reduced First Division programme it will be a chance for the famous FA Cup at the Non-League stage to grab some attention. Where better to experience it first hand than at the Artic Stadium, it promises to be compelling, hope to see you there!

Previous Meetings
The two sides have never met competitively