After an incredible draw against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup First Round at The Valley, Cray Valley PM’s Sonny Black has spoken of his pride in the backing of the club’s supporters.

Cray Valley PM are still coming to terms with their amazing Sunday evening performance in the FA Cup when they held Charlton Athletic to a draw meaning that the League One side as well as the BBC cameras will be heading for the Artic Stadium next Wednesday for the replay. 

Sonny Black was the sponsors’ Man of the Match at the weekend and after we spoke to him in the build-up to the original tie, we have been talking to one of the Valley heroes about the experience and what comes next. 

We spoke to Black forty-eight hours after the final whistle and he admitted that the whole day had not yet sunk in – he told us, “It was all a bit surreal if I’m honest!” 

“When we came out for the first time, it was just amazing – an amazing experience and a great feeling stepping out onto the pitch and hearing the fans, seeing the support that we had, it really was amazing!” 

“It was a difficult first half for us and it took us fifteen, twenty minutes to get to grips with them and their movement.”

“But I think we grew into the game slowly – conceding the first goal was a bit of a wobble, but we gathered ourselves after that and were a bit more compact after that and were able to get to half time which was really important that we got there only one-nil.” 

“The first goal goes in, and you think and fear the worst and you know that you have to shake it off and get it out of your system and get it out of your heads immediately – focus on the rest of the game and I think we did that well.” 

“The Gaffer “just” gave us the belief at half-time – he told us that we were doing well and told us to stay in the game for as long as you can, and you will get a chance; chances will come.”

“He underlined that we had played well and told us that if we kept going, being a bit more compact, there will be something there for us.”

“We took what he said on board, but to get the equaliser so quickly gave us a real boost and gave us the confidence that we needed. We even started to believe that we could even win it!” 

Black was named Man of the Match – a decision that took him by surprise as he admitted, “I was not expecting it! The whole day as I said was surreal, but that was the cherry on the top to be honest.”

“At the end of the game, I was just celebrating with the fans and someone from the BBC came and got me and told me that I had got the award and I had to go for an interview!” 

“It was a great experience, and it was really nice to get the award!” 

Valley’s next game is another derby when Erith & Belvedere visit Badgers at the weekend and Black told us, “The League is our bread and butter and that is really where our focus is this season.”

“Obviously, the Charlton game was amazing, and it was a great day for everyone, and we know that we have got to do it again next week for the replay, which is amazing, it is just as important that we get three points at the weekend…” 

Picture supplied by Romana Rule.