On Tuesday afternoon, VCD Athletic entertain Cray Valley (PM) in a festive season Isthmian League South East Division derby.

Seventh placed VCD haven’t played since the second Saturday in December when they recorded an impressive one-nil win at third placed Ashford United thanks to a goal scored by Soul Kader, his seventh goal in six league starts.

When Cray Valley played on Tuesday, it was their first game for three weeks and the break appeared to have disrupted their momentum. They came into the game against Corinthian on the back of five straight league and cup victories, but they struggled against the Hoops.

Other than when a Dan Bennett free kick came out off the near post and fell into the path of Ade Adeyemo whose effort hit the other upright, they rarely threatened, and they remain in fifth.

It will be the first meeting between the two teams since Easter Monday when the two teams met at VCD’s Oakwood stadium. On that day, the teams shared the points in a two all draw. Jason Williams put the Vickers ahead inside the first ten minutes then Denzel Gayle levelled just after the half hour mark.

Williams put the hosts back ahead ten minutes into the second period, but Anthony Edgar ensured that the spoils were shared when he netted with eight minutes remaining.

Earlier in the season, VCD enjoyed a comfortable away win at Cray Valley’s Arctic Stadium. Goals from Anthony Adesite, Youssef Bamba and Ayman El-Mogharbel helped his team to take the three points back to Crayford.

Bank Holiday football can often throw up exciting football and VCD will be hoping for a big crowd for the match between two evenly matched teams.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.