Ryan Flack this week joined a reasonably exclusive “club” when he netted a goal in the Semi Final first leg of the FA Vase on Sunday to give Cray Valley PM a crucial lead over Canterbury City ahead of Saturday’s second leg at Salters Lane.

Speaking to KSN at the end of the end of the first leg, the goal-scorer admitted, “It was a hard game – we were under the cosh towards the end of the game with chances at both ends few and far between. Thankfully I was able to take mine to put us one up and Walks has made some great saves to keep us in front – their keeper made a couple too, but thankfully mine counted.”

“They’re a good side and we knew that were going to make it difficult for us and we’d have to work hard to get anything out of it and I think that the pitch impacted the way that we can play and pass the ball around as we like to. But that happens in Non-League and we had to adapt to it.”

Flack’s strike in the 67th minute of the tie was enough to put Kevin Watson’s side in front. “When the ball came out to me,” he told us. “The defender showed me inside and I just kept going and I think that because I’m right footed, I guess they thought that I was going to pass the ball. But when it opened up, I managed to catch the keeper off guard by hitting it with my left.”

“Celebrations were subdued a bit in the dressing room after the game, we didn’t want to over celebrate as the job’s not yet done as there’s still the second leg to come and I think everyone knew that we had more to give. It wasn’t the best performance from everyone but at least we got the win in the end which was the main thing.”

“It’s half time for us and we’re one nil up. We’ve got to go to their place and try and win the second half. It will be different, but it’s a whole new game – we never go into any game just to defend – it’s the way that we play; trying to play free-flowing football and enjoy it. Talk to any of the players and we really enjoy getting the ball down and playing it around and try to create things and make things interesting – one thing is for sure and that it will be different!”

First leg man of the match, Andy Walker, told KSN in a separate article that he wouldn’t be dreaming of stepping out under the Wembley Arch until after the Second leg. So, what about the goal-scorer?

“It’s nice to think of it – we’ve got to go and do the job next weekend and that won’t be easy. That’s going to be our main concern, that’s the only thing that we’re going to try and do – keep our heads on it – if we play to our ability, the answer is hopefully…”

Pictures supplied by Dave Cumberbatch.