Competitive football returns to Eltham on Saturday for one of the biggest ties in this season’s Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round.

With both sides looking to compete for play-off places when last season ground to a halt in March, these local rivals will be looking to hit the ground running in an intriguing tie.

“The Millers” have had a settled pre-season with five new signings adding to an already strong squad.

In Ade Yusuff, Connor Dymond, Rory Hill, Fraser Walker and Nat Blanks, manager Kevin Watson will be looking for his charges to be competing for honours come the business end of the season – albeit Blanks being sidelined for a spell following an achilles injury suffered in pre-season. An intensive period of friendlies should certainly have prepared the side to hit the ground running.

From “The Vickers” perspective, the departure in late June of long serving Manager Keith McMahon and many of his staff has seen the introduction of ex-VCD player and former Sittingbourne and Ramsgate gaffer Nick Davis at the helm.

This led to several departures from Oakwood – most notably talisman striker Charlie MacDonald.

On the plus side, Davis has acquired the services of former Millers Lea Dawson and Mili Hysi, along with a return for experienced front man Paul Vines from Chatham Town.

Add to that former Phoenix Sports skipper Jack Hopkins, Jack Barry, James Fray, Kiki Oshilaja, Marcus Elliott and a return for Malachi Hudson, and it’s clear that Davis is assembling a squad with similar high expectations.

SEASON 2019/20

28 Sept 2019  Velocity Trophy Group Stage   VCD 2 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 2 (CV win on penalties)

28 Jan 2020    Bet Victor Isthmian Lge SE       CRAY VALLEY (PM) 5 VCD 0

Kick-off for this highly anticipated game at The Artic Stadium is at 3pm

Admission £10, £5 for concessions, Under 11’s FREE

Payment by card is preferable – If paying by cash, please have the correct change available

Image courtesy of Dave Cumberbatch