It is a new era for the club, but one which is starting to show positive signs, says Cray Valley boss Kevin Watson

CRAY VALLEY manager Kevin Watson believes his side have now turned the corner.

The Millers are in thirteenth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table having won four of their 12 league outings.

Watson lost nine games in a row but have since sealed back-to-back wins, winning 2-1 at Rochester United in the League and beating Fisher 3-0 in the Kent Senior Trophy First Round.

“Hopefully we have now turned the corner,” said Watson.

“The last month has been a period of transition. When I took over I made a conscious effort to try to work with the squad that I inherited.

“But after a series of losses in the league, it was clear that changes were needed and for a variety of reasons the majority of that squad are no longer at the club.

“It was important that the players who I have brought to the club are not only of high pedigree but also have the right character.

“We will look to recover our league form, and are still in all cup competitions other than the FA Cup where the club experienced their best run in recent times.

“We won at Rochester and then last Sunday against Fisher in the cup.”

The Millers welcome Cricklewood Wanderers from the Middlesex County Football League in The FA Vase First Round tomorrow, a game that Cray Valley should win against the lowest ranked club left in the competition.

Watson said: “They are somewhat an unknown quantity to us. We will approach the game with the same level of respect that we would give to any opposition. It would be great if we could progress further in the competition than the club has previously but we will take each game as it comes.

“We expect to welcome Kwarbena Osei back to the squad as he was unavailable last week due to injury. Denzil Gayle and Enoch Adjei are still unavailable through injury, and Simon Glover serves the last of his three-match suspension following a controversial sending off against Sheppey. Joe Nguessan is also recovering from a muscle strain he picked up on Sunday.

“It is a new era for the club, but one which is starting to show positive signs. The club has made huge progress off the pitch and I will work in collaboration with the board who have been extremely supportive and realistic, to bring similar success on the pitch.”

Visit Cray Valley’s website:  www.cray-valley.co.uk

Cray Valley (Paper Mills)  v  Cricklewood Wanderers
The Buildbase FA Vase First Round
Saturday 21^st October 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HP