It is the biggest game in the Isthmian South East this season at the weekend, but for Cray Valley boss Steve McKimm, it’s just game 35 of the 38 that his side has to play this season. 

McKimm and his charges travel to Thanet on Saturday for the mouth-watering clash with Ben Smith’s Ramsgate who edged above Valley on Tuesday by winning 6-2 at East Grinstead.

The win took the Rams onto 85 points from 35 games; the same points tally as Valley who have played a game less, meaning the two sides are separated by goal difference with Ramsgate having plus 64 to Cray’s plus 63… it is that close! 

Speaking to KSN ahead of the weekend, McKimm told us, “It’s a nice exciting game for us and Ramsgate with both sets of supporters, both sets of players and management staff looking forward to this game as we’ve both worked extremely hard to get to this stage, but whatever the result, nothing will be won or lost, just someone may gain a bit of an advantage.” 

“Both teams will want to win the game; both teams have shown by their goal records this season will want to win, the only pressure that there is, if you want to call it pressure, is that it is the next game for both clubs.”

“Last week we both had pressure because we were playing Burgess Hill, and they were playing Phoenix. This is the biggest game for this week, we then go into next week where our biggest game will be Herne Bay and Ramsgate’s will be Chichester.”

“Saturday’s result will not determine who wins the League and who doesn’t as there’s still games left to play.” 

“I can understand why so many people are getting excited about the game as it’s two decent teams going up against each other, but come 5pm Saturday, the League isn’t won by either Cray Valley or Ramsgate, regardless of the result.”

“But people will put a significance on the result because we are the two out in front trying to get promoted. It’s a game I’m sure that both teams will try and win, giving it their best shot and it’s an exciting time to be at this stage of the season.” 

Both sides look set to better the ninety-point mark, yet only one will be guaranteed promotion, a fact that isn’t lost on McKimm.

“That probably hasn’t been done for a number of years, if ever, in this League or any league,” he conceded.

“We’ve both had fantastic seasons and Cup runs as well and it’s been taken right to the wire. We’ve been chasing them quite a bit because of our Cup replays.”

“We finally caught them and went ahead, but they won at East Grinstead on Tuesday to go ahead again. It’s tit for tat and an enjoyable time to be involved in football.” 

“We’ve got a couple of niggles that we will look at in training before the game which we’ll know more about on Saturday morning. They all trained on Tuesday, but it’s just a question if they have had any reaction.”