After two recent huge games at the Badgers Sports Ground, Cray Valley PM this weekend welcome South East Division leaders Ramsgate as Valley’s Isthmian League season finally gets back on track. 

After hosting Charlton Athletic and Hampton and Richmond Borough in the two Cups in the last fortnight, Steve McKimm saw his side finally play just their seventh League game of the season as struggling Merstham were beaten 4-1. 

“We had been on the wrong end of two defeats, and it was important that we got “back on the bike” so to speak on Tuesday. They have a new manager in after a poor start, but it was good to see our performance after the recent highs.”

“We gave a sloppy goal away to start with, but we bounced straight back and kicked on and in the second half we were very, very comfortable!” 

“Saturday now is our focus, and it doesn’t come much tougher in this League,” McKimm continued.

“Ramsgate have won ten on the spin and have a lovely Cup-tie coming up at Wimbledon as well which they will look and think that they can win it!”

“Knowing Ben (Smith, the Rams boss) and knowing the players that they have there, they will be no different to my players.”

“Their focus will be on us and Saturday rather than a game that it still ten days away because as I said in all my interviews before we played Charlton – and Ben will be the same – the League is the bread and butter whilst the Cup is the fairy tale.”

“They have gone a step further than us and have a great tie on the television this time which will earn them good money and give the Club good exposure which is brilliant for them.” 

“But make no mistake, they will be completely focused on us on Saturday. And when you look at their players like Martin, Ellul, Hadler, Taylor, I will tell you that they have been there, seen it and done it and they know what it takes. They have been on a fantastic run in the League and are a force to be reckoned with!” 

“They go into the game having won every League game since opening day and we go into the game winning five out the seven we have played drawing the other two.”

“It will be an interesting game at the weekend, but it will not define the season because we will still have thirty games left.”

“Anyone who wants to make assumptions about whoever wins the game will be in good stead going forward, the answer’s not as anything can happen during the rest of the season. We just must keep working hard taking each game as it comes.” 

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.