Match Preview

BIG MATCH PREVIEW

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC v CRAY VALLEY (PM)
8th OCT 2022 – KICK OFF 3pm
ISUZU FA TROPHY – 3rd ROUND QUALIFYING

By Richard J Green

Valley travel to Surrey on Saturday looking to reach the 1st Round Proper of the FA Trophy for the first time since making their bow in the competition in 2019.
Opponents Carshalton Athletic have played in the Isthmian League Premier Division since winning the Step 4 South Division Championship in 2017/18.
After replacing long serving manager Peter Adeniyi in the summer, former Tonbridge Angels supremo Steve McKimm oversaw a complete overhaul of a squad that finished last season in 12th position – only homegrown striker Tommy Bradford remaining at the Club – but The Robins have experienced a disappointing start to this season, winning just two of their opening seven league games.
McKimm recently added firepower to his squad with the signing of experienced former Tonbridge Angels and Billericay Town striker Femi Akinwande, while goalkeeper Danny Bracken moved to Colston Avenue from Corinthian-Casuals after making over 500 appearances for the amateurs.
The Robins enter the FA Trophy at this stage having received Byes thus far, while in the FA Cup they were beaten at home by Havant & Waterlooville (0-2) in the 3rd Round Qualifying last Saturday after defeating VCD Athletic and Westfield in the previous rounds.

With no replays in the FA Trophy, the tie will be settled on penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes on Saturday.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

1st ROUND QUALIFYING
Lancing 1 Cray Valley (PM) 4

2nd ROUND QUALIFYING
Cray Valley (PM) 5 East Thurrock United 3

Carshalton Athletic have been exempt until this stage of the competition

MATCH OFFICIALS :-
Referee - Joe Woolmer
Assistants - Andrew Tregoning and Oliver Bierman

MATCH DETAILS

DATE:- SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER 2022, KICK-OFF 3PM

VENUE:- WAR MEMORIAL SPORTS GROUND, COLSTON AVENUE, CARSHALTON, SURREY, SM5 2PW

(APPROX JOURNEY TIME FROM THE ARTIC STADIUM – 40 MINS, 15 MILES – Most direct as per Google maps)

Information for supporters travelling to Colston Avenue can be found at
https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/fanswelcome

Official Club Website –
https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk

ADMISSION PRICES : - PAY BY CASH OR CARD AT THE TURNSTILE
ADULTS (18+) - £11
CONCESSIONS (65+) - £8
UNDER 18’s – £3

Pic : Valley players celebrate during the win against East Thurrock United in the previous round
Photo : Suman Birta

Previous Meetings :
The clubs have never met competitively but have played each other twice at Colston Avenue in pre-season friendlies in recent years, both ending in draws.
24/8/2020 - Carshalton Athletic 2 v 2 Cray Valley (PM)
15/7/2019 - Carshalton Athletic 0 v 0 Cray Valley (PM)