This evening, two teams with ambitions meet in the Isthmian League South East Football League as Cray Valley (Paper Mills) entertain Sittingbourne.

There was anguish for the hosts on Saturday when they were knocked out of the F.A. Trophy on penalties at step three Carshalton Athletic. Adam Coombes scored a first half equaliser six minutes after they went behind.

Then, in the second period, a Connor Dymond goal levelled two minutes after Carshalton had again gone ahead. The hosts won the shoot out four-three.

At the same time, Sittingbourne were in league action, winning two-nil at Haywards Heath Town.

Mario Quiassac put the Brickies ahead in the second minute, but they had to wait until deep into second half injury time to make the game safe through a goal scored by Donvieve Jones.

In the league this season, Sittingbourne have won three, drawn two and lost two. They also went out of the Trophy on penalties, one round earlier, against Burgess Hill Town. Away from home, they lost their first game at Whitehawk but have not been beaten again on the road in any league or cup games.

Kevin Watson’s Millers are two points behind Sittingbourne but have played a game fewer. They have won two, drawn three, and lost just once.

They also started with a defeat, losing three-nil at Ramsgate but have not lost a league game since. The team based in Eltham have only played two at home, winning one and drawing one.

Last season’s corresponding match ended in a two-one victory for Cray. Marcel Barrington put them ahead in the fifteenth minute and Anthony Edgar added a second two minutes before half time.

After eleven second half minutes Lex Allan pulled one back but there was no further scoring, and the Millers claimed the three points.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.