It’s Valley at the Valley in the world’s most famous football knockout competition when Isthmian League South East club Cray Valley (PM) visit League One side Charlton Athletic in a local derby F.A. Cup tie.

Steve McKimm’s Millers have already played more F.A. Cup games this season than the eventual winners will probably play. It took them two games to get past Lordswood in the Preliminary round, one to see off Uxbridge, another two to beat Northwood, and two more before putting paid to Carshalton. That put them into the fourth qualifying round in which they beat Enfield Town five-two.

They have also worked their way through four rounds of the F.A. Trophy and their only defeat this season so far was in the Kent Senior Cup at Punjab United after thrashing Ramsgate in the round before. As a result, they have only played five league matches, three wins and two draws, and have played five fewer matches than league leaders Three Bridges, who have twelve points more.

Charlton have had a solid start to the season. They are in eleventh place in the table having won six drawn three and lost six. Their last game was at Wigan Athletic where they won three-two. They were three up by half time, and still were with five minutes remaining but conceded twice and had a nervy last few minutes.

Two of their goals were scored by Alfie May to take him to eleven goals in thirteen games this season. He is well known in Kent Non-League circles having previously played for Corinthian, Chatham Town, VCD Athletic, Erith & Belvedere, and Hythe Town.

There is also an extra interest in the Millers’ top scorer. Kyrell Lisbie is one of Charlton legend Kevin Lisbie’s sons. He has scored thirteen goals so far this season, having joined from Welling United, and he will be looking to make his mark.

Images courtesy of Romana Rule