We've consolidated our position in the Kent League, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman

CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) manager Steve Chapman says he is looking for improvement during the second half of their inaugural Kent Hurlimann Football League campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Eltham-based outfit have already played fifteen league games and have collected three wins and three draws and lie in eleventh place.

“At the moment, myself and the committee are pleased that we’ve consolidated our position in the Kent League,” said Chapman.

“I’d like a few more points, but I think we’ve got a little bit more in the bag now.  We’ve played a lot of the teams once and I think if we’re a little bit confident against some of the teams in the second half.

“I think we’ve got a little bit of a way to go.  I think I’m learning with every game.”

Long-serving striker, Matt Knuckey, 32, took his tally to seven for the season with a goal during last night’s 3-2 third round defeat to Erith & Belvedere in the London Senior Cup (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding).

Chapman lost fellow striker Luke Tanner to an arm injury last night so substitute Robbie Bryant looks set for a run in the team.

“I was boasting about having four good centre forwards and tonight I’ve only got two.  Aaron Firth is suspended again and not back until 27^th November and Sam Prett is out injured as well so I’m a bit short,” said Chapman.

"We've got a lot of players who haven't really cut it in the Kent League that we've had to release and that's part of our journey really this year and hopefully we'll be bringing players' in."

Chapman revealed last night that he has snapped up central defender, Billy Parkinson, 19, and midfielder Chris Barnett on a dual-registration from Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers and that he has also brought Mark Allen and Alex Prall to the club.

He said:  “We’ve got Mark Allen, who we have just signed from VCD.  He will feature in future games, he’s central midfield.  Alex Prall, he was out for the whole of last season.  He was with VCD and prior to that he was at Cray Valley for three or four years.  He’s stepped up higher, got a bad injury.  I played him Saturday, brought him back too early.

Cray Valley play their first ever Kent League Cup tie on Saturday, when Beckenham Town visit in the first round.

Looking ahead to the first leg clash, Chapman said: “We’ve played Beckenham once and again the score didn’t reflect the game – we lost 4-1.

“It was 2-1 with about five minutes to go and whilst I respect Beckenham as a team, we know what they’re about now and I’d like to think with my young warriors we’ll give them a better game now over the two legs.

“We’re hopeful (of victory), but I’ll be trying players out over the two games to see if they’ll be with us for the second half of the season.

“I’ve made the mass changes now with some of the more experienced players not being able to play.  I think the emphasis is on youth.”

Chapman revealed last night that Drew Watkins and Adrian Deane are unavailable at present through work commitments.

Chapman says the club are enjoying their Kent League adventure.

He said: “It’s been a big boost for the club, we’re just adjusting to it.  We’re not there yet, we’ve got to get our lights up and our stand, but it’s a good challenge.

“I think we’ve added to the league this year both on the pitch and off the pitch.  I think our facilities are second to none.  We’ve had compliments from all of the officials who have played us so far.”


Visit Cray Valley (Paper Mills) website: www.cray-valley.co.uk

Cray Valley (Paper Mills)  v  Beckenham Town
Macron Kent League Cup First Round First Leg
Saturday 5^th November 2011
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Badgers Sports, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HT