Promotion chasing Cray Valley PM entertain Hashtag United on Saturday afternoon in the Isthmian League Premier division. 

Steve McKimm’s Millers are having a tremendous first season at that level and are in third place in the league, three points behind league leaders Dover Athletic having played one game fewer.   

On New Year’s Day they travelled to Carshalton Athletic, one of McKimm’s former clubs, and claimed all three points in a tight two-one victory. They got off to a flying start by going ahead in the tenth minute through a goal by Tom Beere.

Barney Williams added a second approaching the midway point of the first half. Although David Smith pulled one back with eighteen minutes remaining, Cray held on to claim three important points.

Their first home opponents in 2025 are Hashtag. They are in mid-table in their second season at step three, and know that a good run could see them in contention for the play-offs but a prolonged bad spell could put them into danger.

On New Year’s Day, they were defeated at home by Billericay Town. They were one down at half time, and conceded again five minutes after the break.

Mert Apat was then dismissed before a Billericay player was also sent for an early bath. Nathan Smith pulled one back midway through the second period but they couldn’t find an equaliser.

As Hashtag are a relatively new club, and came through the Isthmian League North Division, the two clubs have never met before however, both management teams will have done their homework and will be ready for the battle ahead.