We will do all we can to try to stay in the mix, says AFC Croydon Athletic boss Kevin Rayner

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC manager Kevin Rayner says there will be an exciting end to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division title race.

The Rams are in eight-place in the table with 34 points in the bag from their 20 league outings and they host tenth-placed Bearsted at Mayfield Stadium tomorrow.

They are only eight points behind leaders Sevenoaks Town and Beckenham Town going into their game tomorrow and Rayner hasn’t lost hope of snatching promotion at the end of the season.

“Our last two league games saw us pick up maximum points, which we needed to do and need to carry on the good form if we need to keep in the top half of the table,” said Rayner.

“I was extremely pleased to beat our rivals from the athletics track as we dominated that game and allowed us to enjoy the local victory,” Rayner added on their 3-1 win at Croydon on 30 December.”

Rayner then saw his side come away from basement side Hollands & Blair with a 2-1 win, before their interest in the Challenge Cup was ended by third-placed Crowborough Athletic on Tuesday night, going down to a 3-2 Third Round defeat in East Sussex.

“In midweek, I enjoyed the Cup encounter with Crowborough.  Both sides had players missing but we were just unlucky to go out and the three youth players that started all did well.”

Looking ahead to Bearsted’s visit, Rayner said: “Bearsted will prove a tough opponent.  Kevin Stevens is doing a great job there and we know they will be well-organised and looking to get something at our place.

“We should have everyone available and will do all we can to try to stay in the mix.

“There’s still lots of football to be played and I’m sure the table will be tight all year, which could lead to an exciting ending.”

Visit AFC Croydon Athletic’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/afccroydonathletic

AFC Croydon Athletic  v  Bearsted
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 13 January 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayfield Stadium, off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN