If anyone thinks we want to see Cray Valley celebrate again in front of us again then they are mad! I’ve had plenty of sleepless nights reliving the previous time, reveals Canterbury City boss Ben Smith

CANTERBURY CITY manager Ben Smith says he has suffered from many sleepless nights after losing their FA Vase Semi-Final battle against Cray Valley.

 

Kevin Watson’s side claimed a 2-1 aggregate win to go on to play Cherry Red Combined Counties League Premier Division champions Chertsey Town at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 19 May (12:15pm).

Cray Valley return to Salters Lane tomorrow needing three points to claim the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division title as this exciting title race reaches its climax.

The Millers reached the summit for the first time this season on Easter Monday, courtesy of a 5-0 home win over relegated basement side Croydon and leaders Corinthian slipping to a 2-0 defeat at third-placed Fisher.

Corinthian are now a point behind on 87 points and welcome Bearsted to Gay Dawn Farm tomorrow, while Smith insists his side will be going all out for revenge by gate crashing Cray Valley’s title-winning party.

Canterbury City go into their penultimate league game in ninth-place with 55 points from 36 games and complete their campaign with a trip to Bearsted next Tuesday, 30 April (19:30).

“Firstly, I would like to thank all of the supporters for following the team this season,” said Smith.

“We can look back and be proud that we are able to really push in a competition this year and that now needs to be the norm for Canterbury City FC.

“Secondly, despite the Vase run, I will look back at this season with a sense of disappointment as we have just not been consistent enough and like quite a few managers I think we’ve missed an opportunity to challenge this season.

“Our aim now is to bridge the gap between now and the start of the new season and in terms of player recruitment we’ve already added in players over the last few months that will see us well, following a good pre-season and I’m sure like many have identified the ones that we feel we can make the difference to what is a pretty strong squad already.

“Finally, we have two games remaining and an outside chance of making the top six, which was the aim following our Vase exit.

“We expect to welcome back a few of our ever growing injury list for the games so expect to go close if results go our way.

“We will be doing everything in our power to win a game of football. We have played Cray Valley three times and I don’t think there was anything between us in those games.

“If anyone thinks we want to see Cray Valley celebrate again in front of us again then they are mad!  I’ve had plenty of sleepless nights reliving the previous time!”

Visit Canterbury City’s website: www.canterburycityfc.net

Canterbury City  v  Cray Valley (Paper Mills)
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 27 April 2019
Kick Off3:00pm
at Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND