It will be nice to progress and continue our run, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman

CRAY VALLEY manager Steve Chapman says his side will have to be at their best to knock high-flying South Park out of The FA Vase on Saturday.


The Millers travel to Reigate to contest a Second Round tie sitting in eighth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League table, having won five and drawn three of their ten league games.

The Eltham-based club are on a ten-match unbeaten run going into the game and Chapman is confident of progressing.

“Both sides are in good form at the moment so it should be a close game,” said Chapman.

“I went to watch them the other night and was impressed with their resilience.  They were under a tremendous amount of pressure when 2-1 up and showed their quality to snatch a late goal on the counter.

“They are beatable, of course, but we will have to be at our best.”

South Park welcome Chapman’s side sitting in seven points clear at the summit of the Combined Counties League Premier Division, with thirteen wins out of sixteen.

Former Cray Wanderers striker Laurent Hamici has failed to hit it off in the Southern Counties East Football League this season, scoring only four goals for The Millers this season.

Lewis Wood, who helped Erith & Belvedere win the Kent League double last season, leads the way in the club’s goalscoring charts with ten goals this season.

“I’m missing Laurent Hamici through suspension but I’m not too fussed because eighteen different players have scored already this season,” said Chapman.

“I’ve got a good bunch of lads at the moment and strength in depth has been key to our recent winning streak.”

Chapman revealed: “I’m without player-coach Paul Gross, who will be down at Butlins enjoying his stage weekend.

“I’ll miss him the most as he is so influential on and off the pitch.”

The Millers have reached this stage of the competition after beating Chichester City (5-3 after extra time), Croydon (3-1), and AFC Croydon Athletic (2-0).

Chapman added: “It would be nice to progress and continue our run but to be honest the league is our priority.”

Visit Cray Valley’s website:  www.cray-valley.co.uk

South Park  v  Cray Valley (Paper Mills)
The FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round
Saturday 16^th November 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Whitehall Lane, South Park, Reigate, Surrey RH2 8LG