The Croydon derby is always a good game and Croydon are improving and will be looking to upset us and get revenge as we hammered them at their place earlier in the season, says AFC Croydon Athletic boss Kevin Rayner

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC manager Kevin Rayner says their struggling local rivals Croydon will be looking to upset his side today at Mayfield Stadium.

 

Rayner’s men haven’t hit the heights that were expected of them this season and go into the local derby on a run of four games without a win. 

The Rams are in 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 25 points from their 16 league outings.

Croydon, meanwhile, are rooted to the foot of the table with just one league win in 17 games to their name and make the short trip to Mayfield Stadium nine points adrift of safety, taking goal-difference into account.

Croydon manager Chris Brown will have to make sure his players are in the right mood for this one.

AFC Croydon Athletic boss Rayner said:  “We have two home games coming up over the festive period and although we play the bottom side in our local derby and then the top side in Fisher the following week, I would expect both games to be tough but expect to win them both if can we can get most of the squad out.

“We seemed to have been away every week at the moment and have not been consistent away.

“We are unbeaten at home and even though we have lost a few of the squad to higher football we can still get out a strong enough side to compete.

“Our squad at the start of the season would have gone very close this year, which is frustrating but something we have to get on with.

“The FA competitions had been a great boost earlier on in the season and we now have a different challenge for the rest of the season.  We will look to enjoy it and win as many games as possible.”

AFC Croydon Athletic came away from the Croydon Sports Arena with a 4-1 win back on the 22 August.

Rayner said:  “The Croydon derby is always a good game and Croydon are improving and will be looking to upset us and get revenge as we hammered them at their place earlier in the season.”

Fisher are currently top of the pile going into the festive period and Dean Harrison’s dark horses have collected 43 points from 19 games, a point clear of Beckenham Town and Corinthian, who clash at Eden Park Avenue today.

“We then have Fisher at home (on the 29 December) and they are flying with a great team ethic and spirit, which is enhanced when you get on a roll like they have.

“That said and done I would still expect to beat Fisher but football doesn’t always go as you’d expect.

“It’s great to be at home for both of the festive games and hopefully a couple of good sized gates can enjoy the football and the Christmas period.  Finally, can I take this opportunity to wish all of our supporters and visiting supporters a Happy Christmas!

Visit AFC Croydon Athletic’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/afccroydonathletic

AFC Croydon Athletic  v  Croydon
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 22 December 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayfield Stadium, off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN