It's my job to put things right, says Cray Valley boss Steve Chapman

CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) boss Steve Chapman admits his side’s form has dipped following the exits of coaches Darren Anslow and Martin Barnard.



The Eltham-based side have slid down to ninth-place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table, with 17 points from 12 games and have gone four games without a win.

The Millers welcome managerless Erith Town to Badgers Sports Ground on Tuesday night in the first round (first leg) of the Macron Kent League Cup.

The Dockers were shocked to hear that manager Tony Russell, 33, who guided the club to the Kent League summit following their 3-1 win over Beckenham Town at the weekend, quit after the game and was unveiled as the new manager at VCD Athletic on Sunday morning.

VCD Athletic are in fourth-place in the table, ten points adrift of Erith Town, who have confirmed that reserve team manager James Collins and player-coach Dean Morris have taken temporary charge of the side.

“Firstly, I was surprised when I heard Ricky’s decision to quit VCD but totally respect his reasons,” said Chapman.

“Unless you are a manager of a team you cannot appreciate how dedicated you have to be and the pressure you’re constantly under to deliver.

“It can be the loneliest job in the world at times, not to mention the crap you have to put up with.

“Congratulations to Tony and his appointment at VCD and I’m looking forward to exchanging thought’s after tomorrow’s game.”

Looking ahead to the first-leg clash, Chapman said: “The game will be difficult for both sides as undoubtedly losing their manager will cause some unrest amongst the players.

“I’d be lying if I said that Darren’s decision to leave us hasn’t affected our recent performances.

“Some players naturally become unsettled and possibly question the club’s ambitions. It’s my job to put that right.”

Cray Valley were without a game at the weekend, but were defeated 3-1 at Corinthian in their last outing on 20 October.

Chapman said: “We should have got something out of last week’s game to be honest. We bossed the first half but both our forwards had a rare off-day.  If Mo Conteh did better with the chance he had at 1-1 we may have got something out of the game.”

But he added: “Times like this are a test of character for both me and the players and we will bounce back – hopefully tomorrow night!”

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

Cray Valley (Paper Mills)  v  Erith Town
Macron Kent League Cup First Round First Leg
Tuesday 30^th October 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HT