Isthmian Youth League Cup Final - Monday 8th April
Cray Valley (PM) v Worthing
To be played at South Park (Reigate) Kick Off 7.30pm
Post Code: RH2 8LG
Admission: Adults £5, Concessions and Children £2

Route to the Final:

Cray Valley (PM)
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Welling United (H) 2-0
Third Round: Maidstone United (A) 3-1
Quarter Final: Kingstonian (H) 1-1 (4-2 on penalties)
Semi Final: Tonbridge Angels (A) 2-1

Worthing
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Bognor Regis Town (H) 7-4
Third Round: Whitehawk (H) 5-1
Quarter Final: Burgess Hill Town (H) 0-0 (5-4 on penalties)
Semi Final: Woking (H) 3-2

The following was originally written for a match day programme, however it is now understood that this will not be made available, so is reproduced here for our website instead.

Club History:

Cray Valley (PM) FC, originally the works team for the paper mill owned by the Nash family which closed in 1981, have a long history dating back to 1919. They currently operate 17 youth teams across various age groups in addition to the first team which play in the Isthmian South East Division. The first team enjoyed success at County level at the start of the 21st century and gained senior status in 2011 when they joined the Kent League at step 5. Season 2018/19 saw them crowned as champions of the Southern Counties Football League Premier Division and with it promotion to step 4 and the Isthmian League. The same season they reached the final of the FA Vase losing in extra time to Chertsey Town at Wembley.

Following the two truncated Covid seasons they have narrowly missed out on promotion finishing 5th and 6th in the Isthmian South East Division and this season have already secured a play off spot as they challenge for elevation to step 3 and the Isthmian Premier Division. They reached the first round proper of the FA Cup in season 2020/21 and repeated that feat this season losing in the replay back at the Artic Stadium after a memorable 1-1 draw against Football League First Division side Charlton Athletic at the Valley.

The Cray Valley (PM) Isthmian U18 youth side managed by Graham Knight were champions of the East Division last season and went on to beat tonight’s opponents Worthing in the Champion of Champions Final played at Bedfont Sports, winning 4-0. A tremendous achievement with a side made up of mainly first year U18’s. The majority of those with a few additions have contributed to another successful season in reaching this final and in the league, where a runners-up spot behind Welling United looks the most likely outcome. Worthing are well placed to once again win the South Division, a title they have made their own in recent seasons, so will I am sure prove challenging foes for tonight’s final.

Graham Knight – Cray Valley (PM) U18 Manager gives his thoughts

On the back of a fantastic 2022/2023 season we started the season well. We had to make a couple of changes due to one of last year’s squad being a second year and Jonathan Lawson signing for Watford. However, our season has been disrupted, we had no game for over 10 weeks due to the weather and that knocked our rhythm. Our season resumed at the end of January and we have just started to get back to our best. Tonight will be a tough game against a very strong Worthing team and I am sure the game will be of a high standard. I took over coaching this team at U12's and it has been an absolute pleasure to see them all grow as players and people. Tonight will be one of our final games together and I am looking forward to them putting in a good performance. I am very proud of what we have achieved together and I will miss them all when they move on at the end of the season. They are a great bunch of lads and I look forward to keeping track of their progression in the seasons ahead. I hope all the parents, friends and family enjoy the game.

Cray Valley (PM) FC U18 Isthmian Youth Team:

Manager: Graham Knight
Assistant Manager: Steve Wicks

Player Pen Pics:

Aidan Wicks - G/K - Confident and commanding goalkeeper, excellent shot stopper with good distribution skills. Great attitude and constantly performs to a high standard.

Oliver Knight - WB - Confident on the ball with an eye for a pass. Relentless energy and confident attacking and defending in one v one situations. Always an option to receive the ball and offers good balance down the right hand side.

Liam Hutchings - CB - Combative and good in the air. Reliable on the ball with a good range of passing Liam has developed into an excellent centre back.

Mason McKenna - CB - Excellent one v one defender, only been with the team a short while but has settled in well. Dependable and consistent performer.

Nathaniel Fashanu - CB - Imposing centre back with a good technique. Reads the game well and reliable in possession. Recently joined the squad and looking forward to a strong finish to the season.

Riley Woods - CB - Riley has been captain for the past 5 seasons. Sets high standards and very reliable and an excellent 1v1 defender. Composed on the ball, he strikes the ball well and is capable of scoring from range.

Victor Damyanov - WB - Unfortunately not available for today’s game. Victor has relentless energy and is tenacious. Very attack minded and has his fair share of goals and assists. He will be missed tonight.

Dexter Gilchrist - CM - One of the most consistent players in the squad, excellent at regaining possession and snuffing out danger. He is strong and a very good reader of the game. Excellent at retaining the ball and often sets the team tempo.

Alex Jones - CM - Combative midfielder who never fails to give less than 100%. Strong in the tackle, he breaks up the play and gets the team moving forward. Great ball striker in open play or from free kicks.

Malachy Turner - CM - Technical and very clever. Drifts into space to receive the ball and has a great range of passing. Consistently creates chances for his team mates while picking up his fair share of goals. A constant threat to the opposition.

Obinna Igwe - CF - Bags of ability, will give defenders problems with his physicality and direct running. Comfortable playing wide or down the middle. He will create chances for team mates and has the ability to create his own chances out of nothing.

Emmanuel Eyin - CF - Strong, quick and started the season really well. Unfortunate to have suffered with a few injuries that have effected his season. Now back to fitness we are looking forward to him finishing the season strong.

Arinze Chukwujekwu - WB / CF - Powerful, strong and direct, happy playing anywhere across the front line. Tireless work rate he is a real team player. Gets into dangerous positions and is a powerful finisher. Had a few injury issues which has disrupted his season.

Riley Boyle - CM - Technically excellent and a good ball carrier. Has the ability to get out of tight situations to open up the opposition. His versatility and performances have been real asset to the squad this season.

Osamede Egharevba - CF - Another player that has suffered a little with injury. An explosive player who loves to run at defenders, he has quick feet and he is a reliable finisher. Will work really hard for the team in and out of possession.

Oliver Devile - G/K - Ollie has had to step in for Adian on a number of occasions. He has proved himself to be a very confident and dependable goalkeeper. Commands his area and has excellent distribution skills.

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