Cray Grab First Win - Cray Valley (PM) vs. Erith Town

Kick off at the Badger Sports Club

I didn't get to a game on Saturday as I was at Wembley for the Challenge Cup Final and so I was keen for a game on Bank Holiday Monday. I didn't feel like travelling too far out of London and so went for Cray Valley's home match against Erith Town. Cray Valley were initially going to play in the newly formed Kent Invicta League, but were invited to join the Senior League following Sporting Bengal's move over to the Essex Senior League. They had found life in the new league hard going, losing three and drawing one of their opening four matches. Erith have had a mixed start to the season winning, drawing and losing one game so far. 

First half action with the clubhouse in the background.

The opening half hour or so is scrappy to say the least and the vast majority of the game is played in the middle of the park. Cray struggle to get any passing going and Erith keeping on making mistakes when on the ball. The visitors nearly take the lead when the ball is crossed over to the back post but the Erith player cannot keep his header down. They do take the lead shortly afterwards from the penalty spot following a foul by the keeper. There is some debate about whether or not the foul was in the box but the penalty is still duly dispatched.

Decent crowd on Bank Holiday Monday.

Erith perform much better after the break but still lack the killer ball. The home side win a penalty of their own when the striker is needlessly chopped down in the box. Cray equalise form the resulting penalty much to the Erith manager's annoyance. Erith continue to press and miss another close range header. The away team are caught on the break for the home side's excellent second goal. Following a lofted ball forward the Cray striker manages to beat the keeper from at least thirty five yards to put Cray in front for the first time this season. Erith press forward for an equaliser, but it is the home side who come closest to another goal when the Erith keeper saves when the Cray striker is clean through. Cray hold on to claim their first three points at this level.

Erith push on for the equaliser.

The ground is about a twenty minute walk from Mottingham Station. This station is served by trains from London Bridge on a regular basis and the journey takes around twenty minutes. I didn't pass a pub on the walk to the ground but the clubhouse has been redeveloped over the summer and so is very smart. There are a large selection of drinks and they have Sky Sports. I can also highly recommend the burgers. 

Uncovered standing on the far side of the pitch.