Cray Valley PM can take a big step towards the Isthmian Premier play-offs when they entertain Dover Athletic at the Artic Stadium, but boss Steve McKimm knows his side still have a lot of work to do. 

Its fourth against fifth in the table – “it’s a big game for us,” the Valley boss conceded when we spoke to him this week.  

“It will be nice to have them at our Club as we get to this time of the season. The last eight games are big for everyone as Clubs challenge for the play-off spots and challenge for the title with people trying to get into the play-offs. 

“It’s a huge game for us, but there are loads of other big games as well. We’re looking forward to it, but things are not won or lost on Saturday, but it would be nice to get a positive result to keep us in the position that we are in at the moment.” 

McKimm’s side go into the weekend two points ahead of their visitors, but Dover do have a game in hand.  

“We have to look at who is in front of us, rather than who can catch,” McKimm said, “We will have half an eye on who is behind us, but we have to look at who we can catch in front and try and cement our place in the play-offs as soon as possible. With less than a month and a half to go, we really have had a fantastic season so far, but we want to make sure that it ends on a high!” 

“We were pleased that we went to Kings Langley last week and got a victory over Potters Bar – a clean sheet and a couple of goals, was very pleasing and gives us something to build on.  

“Dover is in the same situation as they haven’t had the best of runs but got a nice 2-0 home win on Saturday (against Bowers & Pitsea). It’s interesting and a very nice place to be at this stage of the season.” 

Eight games left and Valley are fourth with 62 points; “It’s a position we’d have bitten your hand off in August for,” McKimm agreed, adding, “As a Club we certainly would have done. Every Club aspires to do the best we can and once we got a feel for the League and we knew where we were, we have kicked on. 

“Everyone can look back at games where they have dropped points or won points where they shouldn’t have done, but the here and now is that there are eight games to go, and we are in a good position. We must keep our focus and try to maintain what we have done for much of the season to make the play-offs.” 

“We’re looking at a game at a time as we did last year when we were chasing Ramsgate – it’s a game at a time to tick them off; three points, one point and see for the next one and that’s the best way to look at it!” 

“As a manager, I tell players not to look at the run-in but as a manager you’ve got to, we still have some real, real, real tough games to play – there are a lot of points to play for, a lot of places up for grabs and we have to try and keep our focus to maintain what we have been doing.” 

Going into Saturday, McKimm could have some selection issues; “We’re a bit depleted,” he admitted, “we’ve a couple of suspensions and a couple of injuries to look at. But we will go with what we go with – I’ve never cried over spilled milk and I’m not starting now.  

“We will go with the hand that we have been dealt with and compete against Dover who are going to be a very good side! Jake (LeBerl, the Dover boss) is very good at what he does – he’s got them playing well and it’s going to be an interesting time!”