On the road for the last time this season to visit Champions-elect Cray Valley PM on Saturday 20th May 2024, kick-off 3.00pm in the Isthmian League Division One South East. Cray Valley PM play their games at The Artic Stadium, Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London. SE9 5HP, 55.2 miles from Winch’s Field.

Cray Valley Paper Mills was established in 1919 and spent time in the Sidcup & Kent League, the Kent County Amateur League, the South London Alliance, the Spartan League, the South Midlands League, the Spartan South Midlands League, the London Intermediate League and the Kent County League. They moved up to the Kent League in 2011, which was renamed the Southern Counties East League in 2013. They gained promotion to the Isthmian League after being Southern Counties East League Premier Division champions in 2018/19 when they also reached the final of the FA Vase, losing to Chertsey Town 3-1 at Wembley. After two seasons lost to Covid they finished fifth in 2021/22, and went on to be beaten in the play-off semis by Ashford United. Bay made it to the play-off final, after a penalty shoot-out win in the semis against Haywards Heath Town, and then beat Ashford in the final. Last season Cray Valley PM ended in sixth place, one point outside the play-offs.

Herne Bay cannot now reach the play-offs but after the debacle of last season have done remarkably well this time out, indeed so well that there has been almost false expectations of a top five finish. Missing out by a couple of places and a few points has been a huge achievement under the circumstances.

Bay have not had the best of the two sides in Isthmian League encounters with Valley having won four and Bay one. The last meeting was in December 2023 when the Millers won 1-0 at Winch’s Field.

Cray Valley PM are currently second in the table, equal on points with top side Ramsgate who have a one goal advantage in goal difference and have played one match more. After playing Bay Cray will face trips to Hythe Town (on a run of nine defeats in a row) and 12th place Horndean. On this day Ramsgate will travel to Chichester City (on a run of ten straight wins and conceding just two goals in that time) and end up at home to Three Bridges (unbeaten in 12 with nine wins and three draws having scored 36 goals in those games).

Herne Bay are in 7th place 28 points behind Cray.

Admission: Adults, £10, Concessions 65+ and Students, with proof, £6, Children 11-17 £2, Children U11 Free (with adult).

There is a large car park at the ground for cars although the narrow entrance is not suitable for large coaches which are best parked roadside adjacent to the ground.

Please be aware the ground is situated within the new ULEZ zone so certain vehicles could be subject to charge.

Looking ahead.
HOME. Saturday 27th April 2024. Chichester City. 3.00pm kick-off.