Match Details:

ISUZU FA TROPHY FIRST ROUND PROPER
BRENTWOOD v CRAY VALLEY (PM)
SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2024 – KICK OFF 15.00pm

VENUE: The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Rd, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood CM15 9NN

ADMISSION: £10 Adults, £7 Concessions, Under 16s - Free with an accompanying adult

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Gerry Heron
Assistant: Joe Alborough and Michael Corderoy

Today's game will be decided on penalties if the scores are level at 90 minutes.

Our Opponents:
Nicknamed the Blues, Brentwood Town are managed by Keith Rowland appointed in October 2023. Keith has also managed at Wingate & Finchley, Aveley, and Tilbury. As a player, he was a defender who most notably played in the Premier League for West Ham United in the mid nineties. He also represented Northern Ireland winning 19 International caps.

Reading the Blues match preview reveals that a guest at Saturday's game will be Barry Hearn who recently become a shareholder at Brentwood Town FC. He will be making a presentation at the game to representatives of Saint Francis Hospice, one of the charities supported by the club.

The Blues currently sit in 8th position in the Isthmian North Division on 16 points having played just 8 games, several less than the sides above them. Their opening league game on the 24th August, a 3-2 victory against Walthamstow, was their first competitive game on their new 3G surface. They are unbeaten in their last six league and cup games including a 5-0 away win at Haringey Borough last time out.

In the FA Trophy they have beaten Witham Town 3-2 at home followed by an away win 2-1 at Brightingsea Regent. In the previous round, the third qualifying, they went through 4-3 on penalties at home to Isthmian Premier side Cray Wanderers after it finished 1-1 at 90 minutes.

Top goalscorer this season for the blues in all competitions is Daniel Ogunleye on ten.

The Millers:
Cray Valley (PM) are unbeaten in their last five league and cup games, a run thes started in the previous round of the FA Trophy, the third qualifying in which they won 3-1 at Ramsgate. They currently sit in 5th place in the Isthmian Premier table on 20 points from 11 games. Top goalscorer in all competitions is Freddie Parker on eleven.

The Millers were boosted this week by the news that Fumnaya Shomotun has now committed to join the club on a permanent basis having previously been on a one month loan from Tonbridge Angels. He is eligible to play today.

It promises to be compelling viewing, hope to see you there,

Previous Meetings:
The two clubs have not met competitively before although did play a pre-season friendly prior to the Covid hit season 2020/21. The Millers winning 1-0 courtesy of a Francis Babalola goal in the 84th minute.
See link below for match report and photos:

https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/0-4868660/report