The Vase has thrown up a great local game - the lads have been looking forward to this one since the draw came out, says AFC Croydon Athletic manager Kevin Rayner

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC manager Kevin Rayner says he is relishing welcoming AFC Whyteleafe to Mayfield Stadium in The FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tie tomorrow.

The Rams go into the local derby sitting in fourteenth-place in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division South with seven points from as many games, while Kelly Waters’ side are in ninth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with nine points from six games.

“The season hasn’t started quite as we wanted, mainly due to our poor away form.  For some reason we’ve had five away league games and we were poor in a couple of those,” said Rayner.

“However, we have picked up well and won our last game (a 3-1 win at Fleet Town) in dominant style. We have had players getting back and are unbeaten at home in league competitions.

“The Vase has thrown up a great local game.  AFC Whyteleafe are going well and have a good following, so we are hopeful of a good gate and an entertaining game.

“The lads have been looking forward to this one since the draw came out.”

Holding midfielder Junior Kaffo misses the game through suspension, while top scorer Tyrone Pink has also been ruled out.

Rayner added: “Hopefully we can progress and both sides would want to stay in the competition as long as possible.”

AFC Croydon Athletic  v  AFC Whyteleafe
The Isuzu FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 24 September 2022
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayfield Stadium, Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN