The curtain falls on the 2024/25 Isthmian Premier Division season on Saturday as Invicta travel to Cray Valley PM.
Invicta finished the home season with a 2-1 win over Lewes on Easter Monday, the final game on grass at Cheriton Road before work begins on the new 3G playing surface this summer.
You can catch highlights of the win on Invicta TV
Ups & Downs
Cray Valley may be assured of 4th place, and an away playoff on Wednesday against whoever finishes 3rd, but there is still a lot to play for at the top of the Isthmian Premier Division. Dartford’s 2-2 draw at Cray Wanderers on Easter Monday saw them give up the advantage in the title race and drop to 3rd on goal difference, with The Darts, Billericay and Horsham all level on 84 points. Billericay leads the way, but only by a single goal from Horsham, setting up a pulsating final day.
5th place is also up for grabs, Chichester City host Dover Athletic with just goal difference separating the teams. A point would see Dover secure the final playoff spot but Chichester are the form team right now in the Isthmian Premier Division and have only lost 1 of their last 10 on home (artificial) turf.
At the other end, the bottom 4 of Hendon, Hastings United, Bognor Regis Town and Bowers & Pitsea have all been relegated to step 4. We are already assured of 2 clubs coming up in the other direction, with Ramsgate and Brentwood Town crowned winners of the Isthmian South East and North divisions respectively.
The Isthmian South East playoffs are already set for Tuesday night, with Sittingbourne hosting Merstham and Margate travelling to Burgess Hill Town. The highest ranked side from the winning semi-finalists will host the playoff final on Friday 2nd May.
In the Isthmian South Central, Kingstonian host Ascot United with both sides in a 4-way battle for 3 remaining playoff spots. 5th place Kingstonian need a win to secure their place in the playoffs, anything else would see them miss out should Hayes & Yeading United win away to South Park Reigate.
In the National League South, the final relegation spot has come down to the last day of the season with just a single goal separating Salisbury and St Albans City. Salisbury hold the thinest of advantages going into a trip to already relegated Welling United, while St Albans face a daunting trip to Truro City who themselves sit top of the league on goal difference.
Team News
Joel-Michael Odeniran is a doubt for the final match of the season having come off in the first half on Easter Monday. Otherwise Jay Saunder’s squad is likely to remain the same from that which took on Lewes.
From The Manager
Jay Saunders spoke following the Easter Monday win over Lewes: ”
The Opposition
Cray Valley came up into the Isthmian Premier Division last summer as South East Division champions having only lost 1 league match all season, an unbeaten away record and having taken League 1 Charlton to a replay in the FA Cup 1st Round. it’s fair to say Steve McKimm’s side have carried that momentum into this season as they look to make it back to back promotions.
The Millers have only lost at home in the league twice this season, to Dartford on the opening day and Hashtag United on 4th January, but may be coming into Saturday with one eye on Wednesday night’s playoff semi-finals. Cray will travel to face whoever finishes 3rd from Billericay, Horsham and Dartford.
Last 6
22/03 – Lewes (A) – Lost 4-1
29/03 – Wingate & Finchley (A) – Won 2-0
05/04 – Dulwich Hamlet (H) – Won 3-1
12/04 – Hashtag United (A) – Won 3-1
18/04 – Whitehawk (H) – Won 3-0
21/04 – Chatham Town (A) – Won 1-0
Recent Meetings
The clubs have only ever met on 3 occasions, with our meeting earlier this season the first league meeting. With all 3 games coming at Cheriton Road, Saturday will be Invicta’s first ever competitive visit to Badgers Sports Club, although we have previously visited during pre-season.
Last 3
22/02/22 – Invicta 1-0 Cray Valley (Velocity Trophy)
27/09/22 – Invicta 1-3 Cray Valley (Kent Senior Cup)
24/08/24 – Invicta 0-1 Cray Valley
The Manager
Steve McKimm is looking to add another Isthmian Premier Division playoff win to his CV, having previously taken Tonbridge Angels to the National League South via the Premier Division Super Playoffs in 2019, beating Haringey Borough and Merstham before emerging 3-2 winners over Southern League side Met Police.
McKimm was eventually succeeded by new Invicta manager Jay Saunders at Longmead, before taking the reins at Carshalton Athletic for a season and then moving on to Cray Valley.
Key Man
Tom Beere has 14 goals to his name from midfield this season. The 30-year old is full of experience across the Isthmian League and higher, having come through at AFC Wimbledon where he made 30 appearances in the Football League.
How To Follow
Charlie Prescott and Adrian Dawkes from Seasiders Radio will be there to bring you live radio commentary from Princes Park.
You can also keep up to date with the action with updates from our X (formerly Twitter) account and live score updates are available on Football Webpages.
The Venue
Travel
Always check rail times/strike action before you travel.
Admission
Supporters can pay on the gate or buy online for this fixture.
- Adult: £12
- Concession (65+, student): £7
- Children 11-15: £5
- Under 11: Free
