The players have now set themselves a standard and the expectation will be to consistently meet it, says Cray Valley boss Kevin Watson

Friday 08th December 2017

CRAY VALLEY manager Kevin Watson says he is looking forward and not back going into tomorrow’s home game against Lordswood.

The Millers are sitting in the bottom five in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 18 points on the board from 17 games.

The club won the London Senior Cup (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) last season under previous boss James Collins and Watson’s men pulled off another capital cup upset by beating landlords Greenwich Borough on penalties in midweek.

Kevin Lisbie headed in his 13th goal for the club, meeting Jamie Day’s first half corner, before Gary Alexander’s men grabbed a last gasp leveller through Chinedu McKenzie, before Cray Valley won it by winning the shoot-out 5-3.

“Our form has much improved, having lost just one game in the last 10 in all competitions, said Watson, who takes charge of his 22nd game tomorrow.

“In many respects, our season starts now! It is important that as a club and group of players we continue to look forward, not back.

“Tuesday evening’s Cup match against Greenwich Borough was always going to be a measure of our potential.

“The Greenwich Borough squad are an extremely talented group of players and it was pleasing that we were able to match such quality.

“Defensively we were extremely disciplined  and the selfless work-rate of the players reflects the ethos that I believe we have now instilled in the dressing room.

“Unfortunately, for the players, they have now set themselves a standard and the expectation will be to consistently meet it.”

Looking ahead to the visit of seventh-placed Lordswood, Watson said: “We face Lordswood tomorrow in the league, who beat us at their place about three months ago.  Only three players who started for us that day are still at the club.”

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

Cray Valley (Paper Mills)  v  Lordswood
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 9th December 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HP